Living in the “soul of the Sonoran Desert” has its perks. Five different mountain ranges surround the city of Tucson; it is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream destination offering hundreds of miles of trails to ride or hike. The arid climate in Tucson invites residents to explore, but it also causes local pests like carpet beetles to seek shelter indoors. When extreme hot and dry conditions exist outside, carpet beetles will seek more acceptable accommodations inside, making vital.
What Does A Carpet Beetle Look Like?
Around 350,000 different species of beetles flit and crawl around worldwide. Beetles are known for their rigid wing covers that form a straight line down their back; some look almost like a small armored tank (body-wise). While many beetles are pretty harmless, carpet beetles cause damage with their chewing mouthparts.
- They are oval-shaped and measure 1/16 to 1/4 inches in length.
- Adult colors range from black to mottled shades of white, yellow, white, brown, and red.
- They have six legs and antennae.
- Larvae (grubs) measure 3/16 to 3/8 inches and look like hairy caterpillars (brown/reddish-brown – striped).
Upon identifying carpet beetles, homeowners must take immediate action to remove them from their homes. Carpet beetles are highly destructive; therefore, it is wise for homeowners to contact Green Home Pest Control for quick removal.
How To Tell If There Are Carpet Beetle Larvae In Your Home
Larvae feed on anything derived from plants or animals (natural or manufactured). Unlike adult carpet beetles, they will damage things in your home; therefore, homeowners must know where to look for them.
Five ways to determine if larvae are in your home include:
- Seeing adult beetles
- Discovering eggs (tiny and white/creamy colored)
- Seeing larvae crawling around
- Finding larval skins on fabrics and upholstery
- Seeing small fecal pellets (about the size of a grain of salt)
Discovering larvae means trouble for homeowners. Since larvae are responsible for feasting on items around the home, homeowners must know how to spot tell-tale signs of an infestation.
Signs Of A Carpet Beetle Infestation
Signs of a carpet beetle infestation often get missed. They can spread all over your home since they feast on fabrics, leather, felt, fur, wool, silk, feathers, and skins. In addition, they enjoy wool blends that are soiled, stained, and have body odors/oils. Once you know what carpet beetles feed on, signs homeowners might have previously ignored may become more noticeable.
Four signs of carpet beetle infestations are as follows:
- Frayed threads
- Significant areas of threadbare spots
- Loss of hair on furs and trophy heads (bald spots)
- Empty skins on surfaces
When carpet beetles move around homes freely, removing them without professional assistance is difficult. You can with the help of Green Home Pest Control.
Tips And Tricks To Total Carpet Beetle Removal
Carpet beetles prefer to do their “dirty work” while hiding in dark, undisturbed areas around your home. As soon as infestations become evident, some tips and tricks can help remove them.
Four tips and tricks for total carpet beetle removal include:
- Dry clean salvageable items
- Wash and dry salvageable items
- Vacuum heating vents, carpets (especially baseboards), closets, underneath furniture, and floors.
- Place infested items in a freezer (48 hours)
Professional pest control is always the best way to ensure carpet beetles get removed. Green Home Pest Control is an eco-friendly company that eliminates damaging pests while protecting the environment. When you contact Green Home Pest Control, we’ll use our 30+ years of experience to eliminate your pest problems effectively and efficiently.
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