Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles feed on a variety of materials, including carpets, feathers, leather, silk, wool, felt and fur. Carpet beetle infestations tend to go unnoticed for long periods of time, allowing them to cause severe damage to bedding, clothes, pillows, carpets and upholstered furniture.
Most species of carpet beetle measure between one and four millimeters in length. Their bodies are oval-shaped and display black, white and yellow patterned coloration. . Some species of carpet beetle may also exhibit orange coloration.
In spring, female carpet beetles lay 25 to 100 eggs, which hatch into larvae within two weeks. Carpet beetle larvae are brown and covered in coarse hair. Larvae measure approximately 1/4-inch in length. Three distinct golden hairs are located upon the abdomen at this stage of development.
Carpet beetle larvae are able to mature under a variety of humidity levels and temperatures, although they tend to avoid bright areas. Depending on food sources and climate, larvae may take over a year to develop into adults. As they develop, they shed their brown skins.
The larval stage is the carpet beetle's destructive stage. Adult beetles feed on seeds, plants and flowers, while larvae consume fabric or fur. Infestations are often identified by the presence of adult carpet beetles, which gather around windows and lights. Unlike many other beetle species, adult carpet beetles are good fliers.
