Compared to other types of insects, there are significantly more types of beetles than there are other insect species. There are more than 12,000 species of ants; almost 20,000 species of bees; over 4,500 species of cockroaches; but over 350,000 species of beetles! With all of these beetles it may be hard to know what type of beetles you are coming across. Here in Texas one of the most common beetles is the varied carpet beetle. The varied carpet beetle belongs to the Dermestidae family. They are frequently found in homes and randomly enough in natural history museums. In natural history museums they tend to do damage to carpets, furniture, clothing, and insect collections. They will damage carpet, furniture, blankets, furs, and clothing if they find their way into your homes. A Five Star Termite & Pest Control will delve into varied carpet beetles below.
What Do Varied Carpet Beetles Look Like?
They are smaller insects that are about 1/ 8 of an inch. Varied carpet beetles are round in shape, have six legs, and do have antennas. They have a black center and white, brown, and yellow patches on their backs. This rainbow of colors on their back is actually how they got their name. Varied carpet beetles take a long time to mature from an egg to an adult. Their maturation process can take from one to three years.
What Do Varied Carpet Beetles Eat?
As mentioned above varied carpet beetles eat carpet, furniture, blankets, furs, and clothing but they also feed on woolen fabrics, dead insects, furs, hides, feathers, horns, hair, silk, bones, Oriental carpets, and tapestries. They will typically feed on animal-based materials but will feed on synthetic fabrics such as polyester and rayon unless they have food or body oil stains on them. They like to feed in dark areas that are not frequently disturbed like closets, attics, boxes where wools and furs are stored, along the edges of carpeting, underneath upholstered furniture, and in air ducts.
How to Prevent Varied Carpet Beetles?
Thankfully many times you can prevent varied carpet beetles from becoming a problem in your home. If you are going to be storing susceptible fabrics they should be dry cleaned or laundered before being stored. This will ensure that perspiration odors and stains that beetles are attracted to are gone. After the items are thoroughly cleaned they should be carefully packed in tight-fitting containers and packed with moth balls or flakes.
How Do You Get Rid of Varied Carpet Beetles?
If you have found varied carpet beetles in your home there are some things that you can try to get rid of them. Vacuuming your carpet regularly will help you get rid of any carpet beetles that are in your home already. When vacuuming you will want to make sure that you pay close attention to the edges of your carpets, along the baseboards, and underneath your furniture.
Beetle Inspections, Exclusion, Control, Removal, Management & More in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas
If this still does not get rid of varied carpet beetles it is time to call in a professional. A Five Star Termite & Pest Control would be happy to come out and inspect your home. If the beetles have thoroughly infested your home professional pest control is your best option.
