Blog Layout

What is a Carpet Beetle?

YESpestpros • September 28, 2021

Year-round we have to protect our homes from unwanted pests by investing in insect and pest control. But, unfortunately, while some critters might seem harmless, pests will eventually harm your family and home.

Carpet beetles are one of those pests that are common in Oklahoma. They usually infest carpet and other animal-based fabrics such as wool, fur, felt, silk, feathers, and skins. The main species found in Oklahoma include:

  • The black carpet beetle
  • The varied carpet beetle
  • The furniture carpet beetle
  • The common carpet beetle

If you suspect you have a carpet beetle infestation, it would be best to understand what carpet beetles look like, if they are harmful to your family, if they can cause damage to your home, as well as how to get rid of them. In this article, we will consider all of these things.

What do Carpet Beetles Look Like?

Carpet beetles have oval, dome-shaped bodies with wings that create a crease down the center of its body. Under the wings, you’ll find its abdomen and thorax, and they also have six legs. Their heads aren’t always visible, but when they are, you will notice they have two antennae that have a handlebar shape because they’re thicker toward the tips.

The color will depend on the species but can range from black to a mottled mixture of brown, white, tan and black, or even orange tints. 

Are Carpet Beetles Harmful or Dangerous

As with any pest, the first thing we want to know is: are carpet beetles harmful to my family or home? You can rest assured that they don’t bite or pose any danger to humans. But do keep in mind that some people can develop a carpet beetle rash .

Even though they aren’t very dangerous to humans, they can cause damage to the following materials:

  • Upholstered furniture
  • Carpet fabrics
  • Feathers
  • Furs
  • Non-synthetic clothing

Carpet beetles will cause damage when they’re in the larval stage. The female can lay more than 100 eggs at one time that hatch into larvae within seven to 35 days. Since carpet beetle larvae will take nine months to two years to develop into adults, they can be very destructive.

Signs of Carpet Beetles

If you begin to notice adult carpet beetles trying to make their way outside through windows or doorways, then you might need to look for a local insect and pest control company to look for a possible infestation.

Don’t let your bug problem reach that point by looking out for these possible signs of carpet beetles:

  • Bare spots. We’ve mentioned various materials that attract these pests, so if you notice bare spots or holes in any of these materials, then you could have carpet beetle larvae somewhere.
  • Larvae skin. Although you may not see carpet beetle larvae, you will likely notice the skin they leave behind. The skin they shed is a light brown color that usually accumulates around the areas where they feed.
  • Larvae feces. You may also see tiny fecal pellets, similar to grains of salt, concentrated around the area of infestation.

Get Rid of Carpet Beetles With Professional Pest Control

The damage caused by carpet beetles is often confused with that of other pests. The YES Pest Pros are the best solution to identifying and getting rid of your carpet beetle infestation. Even though many would like to try DIY pest control techniques, this type of pest can prove to be very resilient.

If you need carpet beetle pest extermination, save money, time, and frustration by contacting our insect and pest control experts to schedule your inspection, including a free consultation .

 

The post What is a Carpet Beetle? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.

What Bugs Feed on Human Blood? Blood Eating Bugs

June 15, 2022
Insects that feed on human blood can cause incredible discomfort. In many cases, we don't even know we've been bitten until after they have had their meal. Some inject an anticoagulant into the bloodstream to suck up their meal faster, while others clamp on and indulge in our life-preserving liquid. It helps to know which of these creatures to be watchful of before they attack. That way, we can take active steps to avoid the misery before they get a chance to start.

Can Fleas Travel on Clothing?

June 15, 2022
We often think of fleas as a nuisance for your cat or dog. They have an annoying way of getting into their fur, and it can be a real problem to get them out. But it is their uncanny ability to get into your home and cause a significant infestation that is a source of concern for many, especially if their presence is not properly eliminated. This has become a significant problem for many people. No doubt, the best way to ensure you don’t get a flea infestation in your home is to make sure they never get inside in the first place.

Are Bed Bugs Visible With the Naked Eye?

June 15, 2022
Waking up with tiny little bite marks all over your body is never a good thing. As you look at your irritated skin with the tell-tale red spots that itch persistently, you're sure that they result from bed bugs. No one wants their bed infested with these creatures, so you want to get rid of them as soon as possible. But before you decide to launch an all-out attack on these irritants, you need to be sure of what you're dealing with. Unfortunately, plenty of other pests may invade your mattress, and using the wrong treatment to eliminate the problem could delay getting you relief or even worsen the situation. Before you decide on a method of extermination, you need to make sure of what you're actually dealing with. Still, because these bugs are so tiny, you might wonder if they can be seen with the naked eye. The answer is - sometimes. Bed bugs are usually visible in the later stages of development, but there's a good chance that if you can identify bed bugs in their adult stage, many younger ones are lying around, just waiting to take a bite out of you.

Are Carpet Beetles Dangerous?

June 15, 2022
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.

What Spring Bugs Should You be on The Lookout For?

June 15, 2022
As spring approaches and temperatures begin to rise, all sorts of creepy crawlies emerge in search of food, warmth, and a place to reproduce. Unfortunately, your home could be the perfect place to find all three. If you're not quick to eliminate these pests, you could have a serious infestation on your hands. Here are a few spring bugs that you should keep an eye out for as winter comes to an end. 

Are Spiders Active in Winter?

By YESpestpros • June 15, 2022
Aracniphobs everywhere look to winter as a moment’s respite from spiders. The myth goes that spiders are cold-blooded and can’t survive the winter, but the truth is complex. There are 400 different species of spider in Indiana and 3,500 nationwide. Each one has different behaviors and approaches to surviving the cold. Some die off before winter, like the North American black and yellow garden spider, but others adapt. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

How to Get Rid of Moths

By YESpestpros • February 28, 2022
Moths can be pretty pesky little things; the larvae they leave behind can quickly chew through a wide variety of substances, including your clothes, bedding, and food. In addition, many people can have adverse allergic reactions when they are in their vicinity.  While moths play an essential role in our environment, they tend to be […] The post How to Get Rid of Moths appeared first on Yes Pest Control.

What Types of Ticks are Dangerous?

By YESpestpros • February 15, 2022
At first glance, ticks do not appear to be dangerous. But don’t let their tiny size and small mouths fool you. These guys are voracious eaters, and the females are known to suck at least 200 times their body weight in blood. They need this feeding cycle to develop through the different stages in their […] The post What Types of Ticks are Dangerous? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.

How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard

By YESpestpros • January 30, 2022
Nothing can make a homeowner more proud than the exterior beauty of a perfectly landscaped yard. However, all your dedication to beautifying your outdoor space can be tainted when you have underground guests come to visit.  When you start to notice a series of small holes in your yard that seem to emerge out of […] The post How to Get Rid of Moles in Your Yard appeared first on Yes Pest Control.

Can Mouse Droppings be Harmful?

By YESpestpros • January 15, 2022
So you’ve been noticing strange things happening in your house, and you assume that you have a rodent problem. You’ve noticed the corners of your cereal boxes appear to be chewed on. You found a hole in your couch cushions. You may have even seen a mouse or two in the house! But now you’ve […] The post Can Mouse Droppings be Harmful? appeared first on Yes Pest Control.
More Posts
Share by: