Carpet Beetles: Common Household Pests and How to Prevent Infestations

Carpet beetles, often mistaken for bed bugs, are fairly common bugs that can be found in households across the United States. While they can infest various parts of your home, such as the carpet, windowsills, clothing, and even food products, they are more prevalent in northern coastal states with colder and more humid climates.

Types and Characteristics of Carpet Beetles

There are several types of carpet beetles, including the black carpet beetle, common carpet beetle, varied carpet beetle, and furniture beetle. Adult beetles in these categories are typically around an eighth of an inch in length, while carpet beetle larvae have bristles on their bodies.

The black carpet beetle is easily distinguishable from the other three types. It has an oval shape and a completely solid color, usually brown or black. The common carpet beetle, varied carpet beetle, and furniture have rounder shapes with dark backgrounds and various patterns on their backs.

Cycle and Habits of Carpet Beetles

Adult carpet beetles primarily live outdoors and feed on pollen and nectar. However, they can enter your home by attaching themselves to flowers, furniture, or being attracted by lights at night. Female beetles can lay up to 50 eggs, which can hatch within six to 16 days.

Depending on factors such as temperature and food supply, the larvae stage of carpet beetles can last between three months and three years. During this time, they feed on carpet fibers, food items, and even skin cells present in the carpet. Adult carpet beetles can live for two weeks to a few months.

Preventing Carpet Beetle Infestations

Practicing good housekeeping is crucial to prevent carpet beetle infestations. Regularly vacuuming your carpets helps remove food products, skin cells, and debris that can attract and sustain these pests. Additionally, consider the following preventive measures:

• Store wool and fur items in airtight bags to protect them from carpet beetles.
• Seal all food items properly in your kitchen to minimize exposure and attraction.
• If you purchase secondhand upholstered furniture or clothing items, ensure they are properly cleaned before bringing them into your home.
• Arrange for professional carpet cleaning at least once a year to maintain a clean and pest-free environment.

Carpet beetles can cause irreparable damage to your carpets and other belongings if left unchecked. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to identify these pests, understand their significance, and know how to approach the situation if your home becomes infested.

Lisa Shultz Owner / Manager

Anderson Carpet Cleaning is a family owned business serving the entire Eastside since 1996. Lisa is the proud owner and resides in Duvall with her two kids … and treats every customer as if they are family. Always a stickler for perfection, every carpet, rug or upholstered furniture cleaned by her company is backed with her promise that it will be done to perfection. To talk to Lisa you will immediately feel the extreme passion she has for her company to provide you with a “Red Carpet Experience!” Anderson Carpet Cleaning has five vans with the latest steam cleaning equipment for all residential cleaning needs as well a large “Fuso” truck which offers the ability to clean apartments up as high as the tenth floor! In keeping with the latest in environmentally friendly cleaning soaps and sanitizers, Lisa is always making sure that each product she uses is organic. In fact, she encourages her customers to use the waste water extracted from their home to water their plants and they will flourish!

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