If you know anything about carpet beetles, you know that it is bad to have these insects get into your home. But it isn't always too bad. When you find carpet beetles in bathroom areas, it might be that you have a poorly sealed window and they're just getting in through a gap. One or two getting in this way may just result in you using a wad of toilet paper to dispatch them - nothing else.
If one little carpet beetle finds its way into your bedroom or living room, this may also be a small issue you quickly rectify by squishing it. But when you find carpet beetles in kitchen areas or attic spaces, this is definitely a bigger problem. Let's take a look at what carpet beetles are, what areas they infest, and how to get rid of carpet beetles when they get into your Snohomish home.
What Are Carpet Beetles?
A carpet beetle is a tiny insect that can be a mere 1/16 of an inch long. They feed on nectar and lay their eggs in locations that provide a food source for their babies. Adult carpet beetles don't damage your stuff. Carpet beetle damage is caused by carpet beetle larvae. These aren't insects; they're grubs. These little worm-like critters eat dead animals, dead insects, wool, fur, leather, silk, and other materials.
They can also feed on certain stored food products, such as grains and spices. When you find carpet beetles in kitchen areas, it is probably because they laid their eggs in your stored food products. This is why seeing them in your kitchen is a bad sign. When you see them in your attic spaces, this is also bad because it is likely that the hidden grubs are feeding on your stored belongings.
Where Do Carpet Beetles Come From?
Carpet beetles fly right into your home through open doors. This is hard to prevent but, like many insects, they're attracted to light. If you keep exterior lights off, particularly in entryways, you can reduce the chances of bringing carpet beetles inside. You may also replace white bulbs with yellow bulbs. Insects can't detect yellow light.
How To Get Rid Of Carpet Beetles
If you only have one or two carpet beetles in bathroom or bedroom areas, you probably don't have to do anything except repair damaged window and door screens, seal exterior entry points, and manage light near entryways. This is usually enough to stop carpet beetles from getting inside. And, of course, you'll need to use a wad of toilet paper to dispatch any of these insects that have already found a way inside.
If you have a carpet beetle infestation in your home and you're seeing lots of carpet beetles, the best way to address them is to hire a licensed pest management professional. These insects can be tricky to control because of where carpet beetle larvae feed. As an example, they don't feed on the top of a carpet. They feed on the underside. So spraying your home isn't likely to do anything.
Effective Carpet Beetle Control In Snohomish
If you have a carpet beetle infestation, reach out to Guard Pest Control. Our service team can develop a treatment plan to exterminate the pests in your Snohomish home and arrest carpet beetle damage. We use industry-leading strategies to get the best results every time. Reach out to us if you have any questions we didn't address in this article, or request service through our contact page. We look forward to helping you find the right solution to your pest problem.