Do I have carpet beetles? This is a question that no one wants to need the answer to. A carpet beetle infestation can be a painful nuisance, and depending on the severity of the infestation, can also be expensive to resolve. However, if you do suspect that carpet beetles have invaded your home, here is the information you need to know to properly identify and eradicate your Garden City carpet beetle problem.
First of all, What do carpet beetles look like? Carpet beetles are very small insects, only about 1/8 of an inch long when they reach their full, adult length. Their larvae are even smaller. When in their larval stage, carpet beetles resemble caterpillars. They have elongated bodies that are covered in furry spikes. Once they reach adulthood, carpet beetles feature a mottled pattern that is usually brown and yellow in color.
Do carpet beetles bite humans? Despite common belief, carpet beetles do not actually bite humans. They do, however, cause red, itchy, bite-like welts on your skin from the sharp hairs covering them when they’re in larvae form. Because these welts look very similar to bites, carpet beetles are frequently mistaken for bed bugs. However, if you’re paying attention, the two insects do have quite a few differences that can help you identify whether you are facing a Garden City carpet beetle infestation, or bed bugs.
How can I know for sure if my pests are carpet beetles? The easiest way to determine if carpet beetles or bed bugs are the problem is by seeing the bugs themselves. Although both insects have small, flattened bodies, as adults they look quite different. Bed bugs are brown in color and larger than carpet beetles — about 1/4 of an inch long.
The next best way to determine which pest is the culprit is by observing where they bugs are living. Carpet beetles feed on natural fibers like carpet, fabric, and stored foods. Bed bugs, on the other hand, feed on blood. They accordingly live only where humans are – often in or around beds. If you are noticing the welts after being in other rooms in your home beside the bedroom, and they appear on your body only in places that come in contact with the carpet or furniture, it is likely that carpet beetles are the problem, not bed bugs.
How do I get rid of them? Of course once you’ve identified that you have carpet beetles, your next step is extermination. If the infestation goes unchecked, you will continue to receive itchy welts from the larva, the population will expand, and your carpet and other fabrics can be damaged. Home pesticides can be purchased and sprayed on carpets, but keep in mind that eliminating carpet beetles infestations completely often takes patience and thorough inspections to ensure that all the bugs are killed. It is often easier to simply let a local pest control agency handle the problem for you.
At Get Lost Pest Control, we are here for all of your Garden City carpet beetle extermination needs. Our friendly professionals and reasonably-priced services make us the best choice for eliminating your pests in the Treasure Valley. Contact us today to find out how we can help.