Fabric Pest Facts, Identification & Prevention
So you think you have fabric pests but are not entirely certain? To help you identify your particular problem, we have compiled facts about these unwanted house guests and how to successfully get rid of them.
Though there are several varieties of fabric pests, carpet beetles are the most often encountered. Carpet beetles can wreak serious havoc on wool carpeting, woolen or fur clothing, taxidermy mounts, and other similar items. Carpet beetles can even feed on rodent carcasses that might have been in your walls or under your kitchen cabinets for years.
As they can infest an area rather quickly, it is particularly important to eliminate them as soon as possible.
What Do Carpet Beetles Look Like?
Carpet beetles are oval shaped and about 1/8th inch in length. Unlike bed bugs which are flat, carpet beetles are round with a black, brown, white, orange, and/or yellow coloring. They can sometimes look like lady bugs, but have a mosaic pattern rather than dots. Carpet beetle larvae are covered in brown or black hairs and have golden hairs on their belly. Larvae sometimes appear to have stripes as different shades of hair grow in patches.
How Did I Get Fabric Pests in My House?
Like many other pests, carpet beetles can fly through doors, windows, and any other openings you may have in your house. Adult beetles can be brought in store products or even fresh cut flowers from your yard. Once the beetles are indoors, they feed on animal-based products, laying eggs where their larvae will eventually be able to find food. This is how an infestation can start.
What Do They Feed On?
Carpet beetles love animal-based, natural fibers such as wool, leather, animal hide and silk. Because of their preference for these household items, carpet beetles can do significant damage if they are not quickly identified and managed.
The Lifecycle of the Pest
As with many insects, carpet beetles reproduce relatively quickly. Female carpet beetles lay anywhere from 25 to 100 eggs each spring season. Typically, the eggs become larvae within two weeks and then the maturation process to full adult can take anywhere from 1-3 years depending on the climate. Once carpet beetles are adults, they can live around two weeks. However, during those weeks they mate and lay eggs to keep the population of carpet beetles growing.
How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles
To effectively take care of your fabric pest problem, call a professional pest management as soon as possible. At All Seasons Pest Control, we take pride in our work and can help you get rid of carpet beetles for good. Our specially trained technicians know just what to look for and can quickly diagnose your pest issues, treating them effectively and efficiently.
Contact Tacoma’s Choice Carpet Beetle Exterminator
To make your appointment, contact us today! We know that we can help you eradicate your pests for good, but do not just take our word for it. Check out our 5-star customer testimonials.