About Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles infest carpets on occasion. Carpet beetles are abundant in homes, and their damage is sometimes confused with that caused by clothing moths. The adults are tiny oval-shaped beetles that range in color from black to various mottled patterns of white, brown, yellow, and orange (1/16 to 1/8 inch). Adult carpet beetles eat pollen from flowers and do not harm woolens or other materials. They frequently develop on windowsills, present within the home. There are about 50-100 eggs are laid by female beetles on or near sensitive items.
Habits
Clothing, furniture, rugs or carpet, toys, animal skins or trophies, and even natural-bristle brushes are all places where mature insects lay their eggs. The larvae start to feed on animal-based materials as soon as the eggs hatch, such as silk, wool, feathers, and leather. They’ve also been known to consume wool-blend garments and anything stained with food or body oils. The shed (molted) skins of the developing larvae are also left behind. They leave threadbare areas and uneven holes when they graze along the surface of vulnerable materials. Regularly used clothing and blankets are rarely attacked, and rugs that are cleaned on a regular basis are similarly spared. Rugs and carpets’ edges and undersides are more prone to be contaminated than exposed regions.
Habitat
Lint, hair, and debris gathering under baseboards and within floor vents and ducts can also attract carpet beetles. Bird nests, animal corpses, and dead insects (cluster flies, lady beetles, stink bugs, wasps, and so on) are all common sources of pests in attics, chimneys, basements, and light fixtures. In contrast to clothing moths, some carpet beetle species may infest seeds, cereals, pet food, and other plant-based items. Because of their varied diet, bugs may be found almost anyplace in dwellings, making eradication difficult.
Threats
In addition to wool, fur, felt, silk, feathers, skins, and leather, the bugs munch on a variety of other materials. The larvae can consume keratin, a fibrous animal protein found in such materials. Unless mixed with wool or badly dirty with food stains or body oils, cotton and synthetic textiles such as polyester and rayon are rarely attacked. Carpet beetle infestations can go undiscovered for a long time, causing damage to sensitive things.
Prevention
The easiest approach to avoid difficulties with carpet beetles, like clothing moths, is to prevent them. Before storing woolens or other vulnerable goods for an extended amount of time, they should be dry-cleaned or washed. Cleaning eliminates sweat scents that attract bugs and destroys any eggs or larvae that may be present. The items that are supposed to be stored should then be placed in plastic bags or containers with a tight seal.
Householders who want to employ moth balls, flakes, or crystals should read and follow the label instructions carefully. If handled inappropriately, volatile, odiferous items containing naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene might be harmful. Never leave them strewn around in open closets or other locations where children or dogs may get to them. The vapors are only helpful in keeping fabric bugs away if they are kept at high enough concentrations.
