Carpet beetles, or Anthrenus scrophulariae (Linnaeus), are small, oval-shaped brown insects. They are commonly found in homes and other indoor environments, where they feed on a wide range of organic materials.
Carpet beetles live in the fibers of carpets and furniture and are also attracted to light.Â
Here’s carpet beetle 101:
- The multi-colored, pinhead-sized beetles are also known as “wool-eating beetles” or “wooly bears.”
- The larvae of carpet beetles are worm-like and contain spiky hair all over their body.
- Carpet beetles are attracted to the natural fibers humans use for clothing or carpets as they contain protein-based substances that the insects need for sustenance.
They feed on wool, fur, feathers, hair, and other organic products. They also feed on other insects or their larvae living in the same environment. The larvae of carpet beetles are considered one of the main causes of skin irritation and allergy in humans.
In this article, we’ll go over how to get rid of carpet beetles.
How to Identify Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles are difficult to identify, but luckily there are a few ways to tell them apart from other insects like cockroaches. One way is by looking for the presence of tufts of hair on the beetle’s body. It is most easily seen on the thorax or middle section of the insect’s body.Â
Another way is to look for a distinct pattern on its back, including stripes or spots in various colors.
Four types of carpet beetle can be mistaken for each other:
- The varied carpet beetle
- The black carpet beetle
- The furniture carpet beetle
- The common carpet beetle
Varied carpet beetles have a dark brown to black body with irregular spots or stripes on their wing covers. In contrast, black carpet beetles have a dark brown to black body with dark stripes on their wing covers.
However, furniture carpet beetles have an orange-brown head, thorax, and a dark brown to black abdomen. They also have two rows of white spots on their wing covers, which are not in any other type of carpet beetle.
The Lifecycle of a Carpet Beetle
The lifecycle of a carpet beetle is defined by six stages: egg, larva, pupa, adult, male, and female. The egg stage is the first stage of the life cycle. Typically up to 40 eggs are laid each time in the crevices of carpets or other fabrics. These hatch in 10 to 20 days.Â
The larva stage starts when an egg hatches and lasts for 8 months to two years before pupating. Larvae feed on woolens, insects, or other natural fibers by chewing them with their mandibles.Â
Later, they evolve into a pupa which lasts for about 10 to 13 days before turning into an adult beetle. Male carpet beetles only live for about 2 to 4 weeks after they become adults, while females can live for up to 2 to 6 weeks as adults.
Signs of Carpet Beetle Infestation
Carpet beetles are often misidentified as lice or bed bugs. They never bite humans, and they don’t carry diseases.
Usually, carpet beetles are typically found in dark hidden areas of a home, such as under beds, carpets, rugs, couches, and chairs. The larvae shed their larval skins in these spaces, often the first sign of an infestation.Â
One sign that you may have carpet beetles is if you see small holes in your clothes or furniture, which means that the carpet beetles are eating the fabric and leaving behind holes or piles of tiny black droppings.
One sign that you may have carpet beetles is if you see small holes in your clothes or furniture, which means that the carpet beetles are eating the fabric and leaving behind holes or piles of tiny black droppings.
Damaged wool clothes, blankets, and other organic materials are common signs of infestation. You may also notice small holes or irregularly shaped tears in your woolen clothing. Moreover, the most obvious sign of carpet beetle infestation is the presence of fecal pellets on your carpet or in your furniture or other clothing items.Â
The pellets are dark in color and often resemble tiny grains of rice. You may also see small piles of these pellets on the floor near your pet’s bedding, nesting area, or where you store woolens or blankets.
If your house is infested with carpet beetles, you may also notice a musty smell coming from your carpet. The smell is of the droppings left behind by the carpet beetles.Â
Why Is It Important to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles?
Carpet beetles are one of the most common pests in the household. Some people might be under the impression that carpet beetles are not dangerous. This is fairly true, but you still want to take care of your infestation! They are gross, and also hazardous to your health.
Carpet beetles are potentially dangerous because they can trigger allergic reactions in people who have an allergy to animal dander or dust mites. It can lead to severe itching or discomfort and may also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to animal hair or dust mites.Â
Another reason why it is important to get rid of carpet beetles is that they can cause damage to your home furnishings.
So no, carpet beetles are not as bad as bed bugs, cockroaches, or other pests. But you don’t want to ignore them, either!
How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles thrive in humid environments with high humidity and temperatures. They can be found in insulation material and of course carpets.
There are numerous methods that can help you to get rid of carpet beetles. Here are some of them:
1. Regularly Vacuum
One way to get rid of carpet beetles is to vacuum the carpets regularly! Vacuuming is the most important thing you can do to prevent carpet beetles from multiplying. It will remove any larvae that might be living in the carpet fibers.Â
Vacuuming is the most important thing you can do to prevent carpet beetles from multiplying. It will remove any larvae that might be living in the carpet fibers.Â
Regular vacuuming will also remove food sources for the larvae that may still be present in the carpeting or under furniture cushions or rugs. It is essential to vacuum regularly to prevent the growing carpet beetle population. Steam cleaning your carpets will also kill any larvae or eggs that may be living in the fibers of your carpeting.
2. Use Boric Acid
Boric acid is an odorless white crystalline powder with a slightly sweet taste. It is found in the form of dust, pellets, or liquid. Boric acid is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used as an insecticide for many years now.
Usually, it irritates the insects’ exoskeleton and causes them to dry out and die.Â
Boric acid is used as an insecticide to control cockroaches, ants, silverfish, and other insects that commonly infest homes. It is not toxic to humans or animals but can cause skin irritation and should be handled with care.Â
However, if it is too much, it can be dangerous for humans and also viable for pet owners. Keep in mind that it can also cause eye irritation, so it should not come in contact with the eyes or mucous membranes.
3. Use Insecticides
Another way to get rid of carpet beetles is to use commercial insecticide sprays and powders on your carpets and other infested areas. Sprays work best when applied directly onto the infested area where you think there may be larvae living.Â
It is one of the most effective ways to get rid of carpet beetles. Spraying the infested area with an insecticide will kill the larvae and break the cycle of re-infestation.
4. Use Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a natural pest control and can be used to eliminate carpet beetles. It comprises tiny fossilized aquatic organisms called diatoms ground into fine powder. To get rid of these pests, sprinkle the diatomaceous earth all over the infested area and then vacuum it up.
There is another way in which you have to place the Diatomaceous earth in a jar with holes punched in the lid or pour it over your carpet until it covers the surface area where carpet beetles might be hiding. The diatomaceous earth will absorb the insects’ waxy coating, dehydrating them. Leave it for 3-4 days and then vacuum.
5. Use Vinegar
Vinegar has been used for centuries to kill off several pests, including carpet beetles, fruit flies, and more. It is a natural and eco-friendly way to get rid of carpet beetles. Vinegar will break down the surface tension of the water droplets and cause them to stick to the surface of the carpet beetle. When they come in contact with vinegar, it will seep into their body and dehydrate them.Â
Vinegar has been used for centuries to kill off several pests, including carpet beetles, fruit flies, and more. It is a natural and eco-friendly solution.
The acetic acid in the vinegar will kill the larvae and adults of carpet beetles. It will also work on other bugs like fleas and ants allergic to acetic acid. Vinegar also kills bacteria, mold, and mildew that can damage carpets.
The best way to use vinegar is to mix it with dish soap, which has a higher pH level than vinegar. The mixture will be more effective at killing off any eggs that might be present on your carpeting or furniture. Some people prefer to pour it liberally on the carpet and leave it there for a few minutes.Â
Conclusion
Carpet beetles are a relatively harmless pest, but one you still want to get rid of. These DIY pest treatment methods can help prevent carpet beetles and help you extinguish an infestation. However, if you find all the discussed solutions temporary and seek a more effective permanent solution, then get professional help.
Try to contact the best pest control company in your town. They will initially inspect the infestation signs and then provide you with a specific treatment plan to help you get rid of carpet beetles. Follow the treatment plan that they will provide for good results.
