Find Carpet Beetle Source

Infestations extend beyond carpets.

Find carpet beetle source.

In extreme or neglected infestations a buildup of old larval skins can even lead to skin or respiratory irritation caused from persistent contact or prolonged inhalation of the larval hairs. Closets cabinets and pantries attics basements garages inside air vents and air ducts adult carpet beetles are attracted to light and can be found near light fixtures and window sills. Carpet beetles are fond of keratin too. This protein is abundant in natural materials like wool leather hair and similar fibers.

Carpet beetle infestations last longest when larvae have a consistent source of food. They can also be feeding in mouse rat or other animal nests that can be located inside voids garages or crawlspaces. Carpet beetles are found in wasp or bee nests which can sometimes be inside wall voids. Check under the carpet along the walls and any where it may be damp.

I pulled back the insulation and found lots more droppings. Stored clothing old rugs and carpeting or dirty sheets are all particularly likely infestation sites. Find the carpet beetles. Adults lay eggs on food sources such as furs woolen fabric and carpets.

So items such as carpets rugs and furniture which are made from these materials are an easy target of carpet beetles. Usually this consistent source will be an old damaged or dirty rug or other piece of fabric. When our home was flooded we got a carpet beetle. The source of the infestation can also be hidden inside a wall or ceiling void.

As carpet beetle larvae feed they can leave behind clues such as frass insect droppings and cast shed skins that indicate the presence of an infestation. I worked my way to the area below the kitchen and immediately noticed two things. Look in the above mentioned areas underneath your furniture in dark corners inside the pantry on the carpets and where you store your clothes. Still i could not find the food source for the carpet beetles but knowing there was a previous rodent infestation was important.

Lots of dead carpet beetle adults and lots of rodent droppings. All 3 carpet beetle species have similar life cycles see table 1 for the tabular version of this information. They feed on hairs from people and pets lint food crumbs dead insects the kinds of things that accumulate in inaccessible corners or under heavy furniture. First clean the areas where the carpet beetles are located at and then t he rest of your home.

Household lint not wool carpets is probably the main food source for the beetle larvae in most homes. The suggestion was to remove all edible natural fibers like clothing towels bedding and beds from the home.