Carpet Beetles

Adult varied carpet beetles are about 1/16 to 1/8 inch long, and generally oval in appearance. The back of these insects are spotted with grey-yellow, brown and white scales.The larvae are 3/16 to ¼ inch long and wider at the end of the body then at the head. They are overed with a series of light and dark-brown stripes that run across the body. Carpet beetle larvae have three dense tufts of bristles at the rear end.

Carpet beetles are very common insects found in homes and come in various colours patterns (white, brown, yellow, orange) however the black carpet beetle is solid black. Carpet beetle larvae feed on a wide variety of foods, including carpets, skins, furs, woollens, stuffed animals, leather bindings on books, feathers, silk, and plant products. They are also found in processed foods, and process grains. The adults are oval approximately 3 – 5 mm, feed on pollen, fly well, and enter homes through open doors and windows.

Family
Coleoptera/Dermestidae

Scientific Name
Anthrenus Verbasci

Biology
Female carpet beetles lay about 40 eggs in a lifetime. The eggs hatch in 10 to 20 days, and the larvae develop in 222 to 323 days, remaining as pupae for 10 to 13 days. There is one generation of carpet beetles per year. The adult lives 14 to 44 days.

Behaviour
The carpet beetle larvae feed on a wide variety of foods, including carpets, woollens, skins, furs, stuffed animals, leather bindings on books, feathers, silk and plant products. Adults feed on pollen, are good fliers, and enter homes through open doors and windows.

Control & Prevention
The initial step in carpet beetle control is the correct identification of the pest, followed by a thorough investigation to identify and eliminate the sources of the infestation. Infested food should be discarded, and carpets, rugs, and clothing should be bushed or cleaned. Application of a residual insecticide in cracks, crevices and the immediate areas around the infestation may be necessary.

To avoid varied carpet beetle infestations, store clothing in plastic containers. Dry clean clothing thoroughly before storing for long periods of time.

Make sure all windows and doors have properly fitted screens so that the adult carpet beetle is kept from entering the premises.

Need help with Carpet Beetles extermination?
Call Nikol Pest Control at 604-364-3201 for a free estimate.