Carpet Beetles in Seattle, WA

Carpet beetles are present in many homes without making their presence apparent; in fact, when carpet beetles are present in reasonable numbers, they are a beneficial pest to have inside the home. They are especially adept when it comes to breaking down old organic matter and “cleaning up” after other insects. They will feed on a variety of different substances, including dead insects, deserted stinging insect nests, pollen and bird nest materials. However, they will also eat household items if their numbers swell large enough, at which point a professional should intervene to reduce those populations to a more acceptable level.

Carpet Beetle Damage

Carpet beetles are scavengers; often, the materials that they choose to infest and eat are not ideal. Some of the common targets for carpet beetles within a home are rugs, carpets, book bindings, fabric furniture, skins, furs, and other items protein based items. Larvae can be the most destructive of the pests. As larvae mature, they will shed their “shells.” This is a common way that an infestation is identified.

Biology of Carpet Beetles

Carpet beetles are a very common pest in the Pacific Northwest. The two most common types of carpet beetles are both oval in shape, and vary in appearance including white, yellow, and black. Often, the carpet beetle larvae are spotted first, which are frequently striped and appear to be furry (they are covered with bristles).