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Are Carpet Beetles Dangerous?
As their name implies, carpet beetles infest carpets and other fibers and are especially active during springtime. The first sign of an infestation is often a dead carpet beetle trapped in a window sill. But you can be sure if there’s one; there are many more.
Carpet beetles typically live outdoors but are wintering insects. They will seek the warm cozy interior of your home after temperatures drop, and once inside, they become a threat to your property and food and can cause rashes with their tiny hairs.
Carpet beetles feature:
- “Mottled” coloring of black, brown, white, or yellow.
- Oval-shaped bodies.
- Adult length between 1/16 - 1/8 inches.
The first concern with any infestation is safety.
Indirect Threat of Carpet Beetles
Rest assured, these invasive bugs won’t put you in immediate danger.
Carpet beetles:
- Don’t bite humans or feed on blood.
- Don’t have stingers.
- Aren’t poisonous or venomous.
However, that isn’t to say carpet beetles aren’t harmful to humans. These tiny fuzzy bugs are covered in small, colorful fibers that they leave behind wherever they go. Many people are allergic to these fibers and will develop ‘carpet beetle rash.’
Carpet beetle rash includes:
- Hives
- Itchy skin
- Red or watery eyes
- Runny nose
- Gastrointestinal problems
Carpet Beetles Harm Food and Property
Carpet beetles' danger to your property and food is often a more significant concern.
Adult carpet beetles only feed on plant pollen, but the real problem stems from their children. Adult carpet beetles lay 50-100 eggs at a time. After a few weeks, each egg hatches into a ravenous monster intent on eating anything they can find.
Carpet beetle larva eat:
- Plant and animal products used in clothes and furniture
- Like wool, linen, silk, feathers, and leather.
- Lint and dust
- Pet hair
The larva put many household items at risk, especially items stored in attics or overwinter. Unfortunately, by the time you notice the damage, it may already be too late, and your beloved sweater will likely be full of holes.
Another major threat is contaminated food. If larva gain access to your cereals, flour bags, or rice, they’ll happily graze on it, leaving behind excrement, salvia, and rash-inducing fibers. These droppings can quickly spread germs and diseases or cause carpet beetle rash.
Controlling Carpet Beetles
A proactive approach is best to minimize the risk of infestation.
- Dry clean clothes before storage to kill any eggs.
- Only use mothballs, crystals, or flakes with caution as they can be hazardous.
- Monitor likely spots for infestation regularly.
- Attics, basements, storage containers, undisturbed areas, rugs, and curtains.
Once an infestation occurs, it can be challenging to thoroughly eliminate the bugs, larva, and especially the tiny, unseen eggs. Methods to combat carpet bugs include boric acid, diatomaceous earth, insecticides, and thermal disinfection.
If you’ve identified carpet beetles in your home or suspect them, they can very quickly get out of hand. Call us here at YESpest before harm comes to your family or property.
Contact us any time, and our team with decades of experience will help you handle these nasty pests.
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