Carpet Beetles | Eating Habits | Fun Fact Friday

Carpet beetles are an interesting little pest.  They have a larval stage and an adult stage.  In their adult stage, they are a small beetle, as larva, they are more worm like.  The larva cause the most damage, and by the time you find adult beetles, the damage has already been done.

So what do carpet beetles eat?  Well, they eat organic matter and animal products, including skins, furs, hair, yarn, materials etc.  They will also consume cotton and wool/synthetic blends.  What does this mean?  Well, they won't just gobble organic matter from your carpets, as the name might suggest.  If they find a nice wool sweater or even a wool blend, these bad boys are going to gobble holes in that.

They will eat away at your sheepskin rug.  They will gnaw on your cotton t-shirts, socks and clothing.  They will happily munch holes in your wool winter socks, they will gobble holes right through your natural fabric stash.  They will also happily munch on pet hair and debris that are often readily available in carpets.

Because of the damage they cause, you'll want to get rid of these guys if you find them in your home gnawing holes in your best wool slacks (or you know-- whatever your find them eating).

There are several different species of carpet beetle: some are black and some are brown.  They are all grouped together in the same category as pests though, because they act, and can be treated for, in the same way.

Many people find holes in clothing and they assume that the problem is moths.  Often, it is not moths, in cities, it is more likely that you are going to find a carpet beetle infestation.

If you are having trouble with carpet beetles, bed bugs, ants, mice or other pests, give us a call, we'll help you out.

Micah Wood
Peak Pest Management LLC
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com
Portland 503-998-4322
Vancouver 360-607-1933
Seattle 206-790-8285