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Being a scientist, I am always looking for explanations for what I see around me….so, I was quizzing a colleague of mine here at Black Pest Prevention this morning about why we suddenly seem to be inundated with calls about carpet beetles.  If you are not familiar with them, they are a group of small beetles in the family Dermestidae – three of the most common being the varied carpet beetle, furniture carpet beetle, and black carpet beetle.  The adult beetles are somewhat reminiscent of lady beetles and are widespread in nature, feeding on pollen and nectar.  They occasionally find their way into homes, or are brought in on items such as cut flowers – and that is when problems can start.

Adult beetles lay their eggs near suitable food sources for their young.  Those food sources can be most anything of animal origin – woolens, furs, dead insects, accumulations of hair, old rodent or wasp nests, taxidermy mounts, and a host of other items including dry food and spices.  Infestations can spread throughout homes and can be difficult to control.  The first step in control is eliminating the source of larval food.  Protect fabrics by keeping them clean; have wool rugs and draperies professionally cleaned, store furs and other susceptible items in airtight containers with a material such as paradichlorobenzene (PDB).  Frequently vacuum carpets and furniture to remove lint and hair that can support carpet beetle populations.  Check boxed items in closets – one small item of animal origin such as a forgotten souvenir or a fur-lined glove can be a major source of infestation.  Carpet beetle larvae prefer to feed in dark, undisturbed places – so if you have woolens stacked on shelves, it is imperative to remove each item, inspect it carefully, and clean it if it is infested.  While it may be an important part of an overall strategy to rid a home of carpet beetles, simple pesticide application is never the answer to a carpet beetle infestation.

So, getting rid of carpet beetles can be a lot of work!  Your Black Pest Prevention Technician is trained to find sources of carpet beetles, but will also ask you to do your part. Enlisting the help of a professional to rid your home of these pests will, in the long run, provide more effective and lasting control than simply spraying insecticides.

Oh, back to my colleague here at the office…he swiftly wielded Occam’s razor and suggested that the weather was getting cooler, and people were getting their woolens out, thus increasing their chances of noticing carpet beetles and other fabric pests.  Makes sense to me!  So- be on the lookout as you get those sweaters out…you may find an unwelcome visitor.  With a little effort and the help of a trained professional, those unwelcome visitors can be sent packing.  Interested in more info?  North Carolina State University has a good publication available online covering multiple stored product pests: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/pdf/he377.pdf