Black Carpet Beetle
Actual size: 0.2 in.
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Behavior:
Black Carpet Beetles can damage fabrics, furnishings and clothing that contain wool,
silk, hair, bristles, fur or feathers. Their natural habitats are nests of birds,
rodents, insects and spiders. It is the larvae of Black Carpet Beetles that damage
fabrics. Adult Black Carpet Beetles may be found indoors or outdoors and frequently
on flowers, where they feed on pollen.
Distinguising Marks:
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1/8" to 1/4" long
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Black with brown legs
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Life Cycle:
Black Carpet Beetles lay up to 100 eggs which hatch into larvae in one to two weeks.
The larvae tend to avoid light and actively feed in dark cracks, crevices or folds.
Larvae require from nine months to three years to complete their growth, depending
upon climatic conditions and food. Adults are good fliers, are attracted to light
and are often found on windows or around flowers. The Black Carpet Beetle life cycle
is 180-360 days.
Disease & Damage:
Black Carpet Beetles feed on wool and other fabrics, eating the nap and leaving
base threads unaffected. They frequently burrow through containers to find food,
leaving small openings through which other insects may enter.
Follow these sanitation tips for effective carpet beetle control:
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Frequently clean floors to remove dust and lint.
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Dry-clean clothes regularly.
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Thoroughly clean areas such as closets and chests before storing clothes.
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Periodically brush stored clothes.
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If you would like more information or tips for removing beetles from your home,
please contact our Consumer Relationship
Center.
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