A Guide To Carpet Beetle Control and Prevention In Elizabeth City

Carpet beetles are a common pests in Elizabeth City. When these bugs reach full maturity, they are mainly just a nuisance. However, when they are in the larval stage, they can be quite destructive and can contaminate your food, ruin your clothes, and damage other objects in your house. 

If you think that you have carpet beetles in your home, our beetle exterminators at Albemarle 

Termite & Pest Control knows the steps you must take first to ensure these bugs don’t cause too many problems. 

How Can I Tell If It’s Carpet Beetles In My House?

Carpet beetles have a unique appearance. Adult carpet beetles have an oval-shaped body that is usually a mixture of light brown, dark brown, and black. Older beetles, however, usually don’t have any markings. Instead, they are a solid brown color. 

Before they reach full maturity, carpet beetles will go through two stages of life. The first stage is the larval stage. During this stage, the carpet beetle looks similar to a caterpillar. It has an elongated body that can appear segmented and covered in fine hairs. During this stage, the carpet beetles cause the most problems. 

Our beetle exterminators have seen these pests stay in the larval stage for several weeks to several months. They will enter the pupal stage once they are big and strong enough; this is the stage where the beetle will typically encase itself in a cocoon and begin its transformation from a worm-like creature to a small beetle with a hard shell. 

Common Targets: What Carpet Beetles Eat And The Damage They Cause

When a carpet beetle is in the larval stage, it has a unique appetite. It will eat a variety of grains and textiles. Some of the things this pesky beetle eats include pasta, grains, flour, silk, cotton, leather, and wool. They will also eat upholstery, clothing, and carpet fibers. If you have carpet beetle larva living in your home, you will likely find small holes chewed through your belongings. 

Female carpet beetles are known to lay their eggs in an area that will provide the larva with plenty of food without having to travel a far distance; this means if you have a carpet beetle infestation, you could find eggs or larvae in your clothing, carpet, and even food items. 

If you see these little bugs in your food, you need to throw them away immediately and call a carpet beetle exterminator. 

What’s The Best Way To Get Rid Of Carpet Beetles?

Having a professional company that specializes in pest control for beetles to handle your infestation is the most effective strategy. A professional will have knowledge, expertise, and access to advanced treatment options proven to eliminate beetles quickly. 

Preventing Carpet Beetles: Tips For A Carpet Beetle-Free Home

Carpet beetles usually enter your home in one of two ways: either they walk into your home by themselves or are accidentally brought into your home. Our beetle extermination team recommends staying vigilant to ensure these pests don’t come into your home. Some proactive steps you can take include:

• Seal any openings or gaps around your home with caulking or weather strips.

• Vacuum your carpet and upholstery regularly.

• Keep all grains and other pantry food in a sealed container.

• Store unused blankets and clothing in an airtight bag or container. 

If you are tired of dealing with carpet beetles, Albemarle Termite & Pest Control is here to help. Give our carpet beetle exterminators a call today and find out how we can keep these bothersome bugs out of your Elizabeth City home for good.