Here in Everett, all manner of home-invading pests could infest your home. However, none can do quite as much damage to the carpet and other organic fabrics in your home as the carpet beetle. That’s because carpet beetle larvae feed on natural fiber items such as wool, silk, feathers, and leather. That means they could damage or destroy several items in your home.
As such, you should know the proper preventative steps that you can take to keep carpet beetles out of your Everett home. Additionally, should your home become infested with these destructive pests, you need to know the effective carpet beetle control solutions that you can rely upon to get them out and keep them out.
Identifying Carpet Beetles
Adult carpet beetles grow to be about four millimeters in length. They have oval bodies that are usually brown, black, or mottled white and yellow. Additionally, adult carpet beetles have wings and the capability to fly. Usually, they gravitate towards light sources as that’s what they’re naturally attracted to.
While spotting adult carpet beetles might be a good indication that you have an infestation, they are not the beetles responsible for damaging your home. Instead, the culprits are the carpet beetle larvae that have hatched from eggs lain in furniture, carpets, clothing, curtains, or any other natural fibrous material. Once born, the larvae will begin to feed on the fibers of said material, causing immense damage in the process.
Carpet beetle larvae are typically larger than adult beetles. They usually are light brown or black and covered in dense, barbed hairs. It can take close to a year for a carpet beetle larva to reach adulthood. That means, if left unchecked, they can do tremendous amounts of damage to natural fiber items in a home. Additionally, they can also cause rashes in some people.
Signs Of Carpet Beetles In Your Home
There are a few major signs that carpet beetles have invaded your home. The most noticeable of these signs is spotting adult beetles somewhere around your home. You might spot them crawling on surfaces, on windowsills, or seeking out light sources.
Additionally, you could also spot the larvae crawling on the various natural fiber sources upon which they feed. However, the more likely scenario is that you notice the damage caused by the larvae. If you spot holes in any of the items listed above or if you spot the shed skins of the larvae, you know you have an infestation on your hands.
Carpet Beetle Prevention Tips
The best way to prevent carpet beetles is by sealing off any possible entry points and storing items made of natural fiber more securely. To accomplish this, you should:
- Install screens in windows and exterior doors.
- Install weatherstripping around windows and exterior doors.
- Install door sweeps under exterior doors.
- Store unused clothing and bedding in plastic containers.
- Dry clean clothing before storing it for long periods.
- Regularly check fibrous material for signs of carpet beetles.
Effective Carpet Beetle Control Solutions
If you require assistance in dealing with a carpet beetle infestation around your home, contact the professionals here at Guard Pest Control right away. With our residential pest control options, we offer both one-time treatments and ongoing pest control plans to ensure your home is protected from damaging carpet beetles and other pests all year long. Don’t let carpet beetles destroy your property and cost you money. Give us a call here at Guard Pest Control and let us take care of the problem for you.