Common Pest: Carpet Beetles

Carpet beetles are a common invasive pest in the St. Louis area. Carpet beetles are found throughout Midwest and seek shelter in cool, dark locations. Although they can live almost anywhere in a house, they often prefer baseboards, cracks in flooring, shelving, closets and furniture. They can enter a home under a door or through a crack but may also be carried inside with a plant or other amenable vessel.

Larvae can be slightly longer than adult beetles. Carpet beetle larvae are difficult to distinguish from the larvae of other pests, but a characteristic hairy appearance can be a clue. Adult carpet beetles can be easier to identify. The “varied carpet beetle” variety has an orange, white and black back and can grow up to 3.5 millimeters in size. “Black carpet beetle” varieties can grow up to 5 millimeters and present with a completely black appearance.

Carpet beetles eat a wide variety of materials found in homes. They are most destructive during their larval phase; carpet, clothing, furniture, hair and lint are common sources of food. They are ferocious eaters, and untreated infestations have been known to cause hundreds or thousands of dollars in damage. Business owners are often a target as well, as carpet beetle larvae can damage and destroy entire crates filled with any natural material.

Fall and spring infestations are most common. Inspections by the homeowner or a pest control expert on a regular basis are recommended. Every dark, secluded location needs to be thoroughly inspected not just for beetles but also for their larvae. Carpet beetles, however, are known to be notoriously difficult to find, and after an infestation has occurred, some damage is likely unavoidable.

Since they are so difficult to find, regular pest inspections from Bugs by Brian if you live in St. Louis or surrounding areas are recommended to stop any unnoticed infestations as quickly as possible. Carpet beetle infestations cannot be sufficiently treated without professional help, and building-wide measures are needed to ensure that these elusive pests are fully eradicated before they can regroup and attack again.