Carpet beetles are a common household pest that can cause significant damage if left unchecked. There are several different species of carpet beetle, each with distinctive markings and habits. Learning to identify the types of carpet beetles is an important first step in controlling an infestation.
What are Carpet Beetles?
Carpet beetles are tiny insects that feed on materials of animal origin. Their larvae feed on things like wool, silk, leather, fur, dead insects and animal hair When they invade homes, carpet beetles and their larvae can damage carpets, furniture, clothing and other items made from natural fabrics.
Adult carpet beetles are oval-shaped bugs just 2-5 mm long The larvae are a bit larger, around 4-8 mm, and look like fuzzy worms with bands across their bodies Carpet beetle larvae have hairs that can irritate skin on contact.
While carpet beetles don’t bite their itchy hairs sometimes make people think they were bitten. The larvae cause the most damage since they feed for several months before maturing into adults. Controlling larvae is key to getting rid of a carpet beetle problem.
The 7 Most Common Carpet Beetles
There are close to 100 species of carpet beetle, but only a handful are regular household pests. Below are the 7 most common carpet beetles found inside homes and businesses.
1. Varied Carpet Beetle
The varied carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci) is the most widespread species. As its name suggests, the adult has a varied pattern of scales in white, brown, black and yellow. The larvae have a brown and white striped pattern and are covered in tiny hairs.
2. Furniture Carpet Beetle
The furniture carpet beetle (Anthrenus flavipes) has larger scales than the varied carpet beetle, in white, brown, yellow and reddish-orange. Their larvae are white before maturing into a red-brown shade banded with brown.
3. Common Carpet Beetle
The common carpet beetle (Anthrenus scrophulariae) is identified by its patchy scales in white, brown and reddish yellow. Its larvae are reddish-brown and densely covered in hairs.
4. Black Carpet Beetle
As you may have guessed, the black carpet beetle (Attagenus unicolor) is solid black with brown legs. Its larvae are also unusual, lacking hairs and ranging from brown to black.
5. Fur Beetle
The fur beetle (Attagenus pellio) has a fully black body up to 1/4 inch long. Its larvae have hairs only at the tail end. Fur beetles live mainly outdoors but sometimes invade homes.
6. Brown Carpet Beetle
The brown carpet beetle (Attagenus smirnovi) is brown overall with a dark brown or black head. Its larvae are hairy and light brown in color.
7. Asian Carpet Beetle
Native to Asia, the Asian carpet beetle (Anthrenus coloratus) has moved around the world. It resembles the common carpet beetle with light and dark scales, but the two can be differentiated by subtle differences in their mouthparts.
Identifying Carpet Beetles
When trying to identify carpet beetles, the most important indicators are the size, shape, color and habitat:
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Size: Adults are 2-5 mm long; larvae are 4-8 mm.
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Shape: Oval-shaped bodies, round at the ends. Larvae shaped like fuzzy worms.
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Color: Varies by species from solid black to multi-colored scales. Larvae may be banded, striped or solid.
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Habitat: Found indoors feeding on natural fabrics and fibers. Larvae feed under furniture and in sheltered areas.
Carpet beetle larvae look similar to bed bugs or other household pests, so it’s important to look closely to identify them correctly. Once you determine it’s a carpet beetle infestation, you can take appropriate steps to control and eliminate them.
Regular vacuuming and cleaning is the best DIY treatment to get rid of carpet beetles. Infested items can be frozen or heated to kill all life stages. Insecticides are usually unnecessary but can provide added protection in severe infestations.
With vigilance and proper identification, carpet beetles can be managed before they become a big problem. Checking for them regularly and controlling isolated infestations quickly are the keys to preventing widespread damage.
LIFE CYCLE OF CARPET BEETLES
Carpet beetles go through a complete metamorphosis. There are 4 stages of development involved:
- Egg
- Immature Larva
- Pupa – Transition Stage from Larva to Adult
- Adult emerging from Pupa
As the larvae grow, as with all insects, they will shed their exoskeletons (skins). This can happen a dozen times or more. The larvae feed in limited areas and these skins, which resemble the larva, will accumulate and may often be one of the more noticeable signs of an infestation. Beetle larvae resemble millipedes but the distinguishing characteristic is the beetle larvae have only 3 pairs of legs.
The life cycle of a carpet beetle is usually completed within a year, especially with the black and varied beetles, though others can have 3 or four generations per year. Depending on the species, the female can lay 40 to 90 eggs in her lifetime. These eggs will hatch into larvae in 10 to 20 days. The larvae may spend 2 months to a year or more in the larval stage, depending on the beetle species, the type and amount of food available, and the temperature. Indoors in warm areas leads to a shorter life cycle than in unheated portions of a home during the winter. The adults will emerge from the pupal stage in the spring.
TYPES OF CARPET BEETLES
There are several types of adult carpet beetles. They are oval shaped with 6 legs and 2 antennae. They have rounded, hard bodies and wings beneath their shells. Some have scales of different colors on their wing covers and these can wear off over time. The larvae of most look like fuzzy worms with bands across their bodies and long hair-like extensions on either one or both ends of their bodies.
The four most prevalent types are found all over the world:
- Varied Carpet Beetle- Anthrenus verbasci. This is the most common beetle pest in Europe.
- Black Carpet Beetle- Attagenus unicolor. This is the most common and most destructive in the U.S.
- Furniture Carpet Beetle- Anthrenus flavipes. This beetle is very similar to the Varied Carpet Beetle.
- Common Carpet Beetle-Anthrenus scrophulariae. This beetle is similar to the Varied Carpet Beetle.
How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles (4 Easy Steps)
FAQ
What can be mistaken for carpet beetles?
Carpet beetles are sometimes mistaken for bed bugs, but there are some pretty clear distinctions between the two pests. Carpet beetles don’t bite. Carpet beetles simply don’t have the mouthparts designed to pierce skin and suck blood. Instead, they’re designed to chew on plants and fibers.
What type of carpet beetle do I have?
Varied carpet beetles are black with white, brown, and yellow scales while furniture carpet beetles are black with white, brown, yellow, and orange scales. Varied carpet beetles have small scales in an irregular pattern while furniture carpet beetles have larger scales.
What is the fastest way to get rid of carpet beetles?
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1. Thorough Cleaning:
- Vacuuming: Regular vacuuming is crucial to remove larvae, eggs, and debris that carpet beetles feed on. Focus on areas like carpets, under furniture, in closets, and around windowsills.
- Steam Cleaning: Steam cleaning, especially for hard surfaces, can kill beetles and larvae with heat and moisture.
- Washing: Wash bedding, clothes, and other textiles in hot water (at least 120°F or 49°C) to kill all stages of the carpet beetle life cycle.
- Disinfecting: Wipe down surfaces, especially where you suspect beetles or larvae, with a vinegar solution.
- Vacuuming: Regular vacuuming is crucial to remove larvae, eggs, and debris that carpet beetles feed on. Focus on areas like carpets, under furniture, in closets, and around windowsills.
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2. Heat Treatment:
- Freezing: Freezing infested items for 2 weeks at temperatures below 18°F can kill carpet beetles.
- Oven Heating: Heating infested items in an oven at 120°F or higher for at least 30 minutes can also kill beetles.
- Steam Cleaning: Steam cleaning, as mentioned earlier, provides heat and moisture to kill pests.
- Freezing: Freezing infested items for 2 weeks at temperatures below 18°F can kill carpet beetles.
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3. Chemical Treatments:
- Boric Acid: Sprinkle boric acid on infested carpets and then vacuum it up after a few hours. Be cautious as it can be toxic if ingested.
- Insecticides: Use insecticides containing active ingredients like deltamethrin, bifenthrin, or cyfluthrin.
- Diatomaceous Earth: Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural insecticide that can be sprinkled on carpets and other areas to kill beetles and larvae.
- Boric Acid: Sprinkle boric acid on infested carpets and then vacuum it up after a few hours. Be cautious as it can be toxic if ingested.
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4. Prevention:
- Limit Natural Fibers: Carpet beetles are attracted to natural fibers like wool, silk, and cotton. If possible, reduce the use of these materials in your home.
- Remove Food Sources: Keep your home clean and free of crumbs, pet hair, and other debris that carpet beetles feed on.
- Inspect Secondhand Items: Thoroughly inspect and clean secondhand furniture to prevent introducing carpet beetles.
- Seal Food: Store dry food items in airtight containers to prevent attracting beetles.
- Regular Cleaning: Maintain a regular cleaning schedule, including vacuuming, dusting, and sweeping, to prevent infestations.
- Limit Natural Fibers: Carpet beetles are attracted to natural fibers like wool, silk, and cotton. If possible, reduce the use of these materials in your home.
Should you squish carpet beetles?
Carpet Beetles Don’t Feed On Your Carpets
The adults feed on pollen. So, squishing a carpet beetle and going on with your day won’t address your infestation.