Carpet beetles are among the dreaded pests because they not only cause feelings of disgust. Clothing is destroyed by their feeding activity and larvae have a potential to be harmful to health. Before any control measures are initiated, the species should be precisely identified. This is how success becomes likely.

Adult carpet beetles do no harm, but the larvae do

Table of Contents

Show all
  1. the essentials in brief
  2. carpet beetle larvae
  3. Where do carpet beetles come from?
  4. Harmful or harmless?
  5. Carpet beetle control
  6. species and relatives
  7. Things to know about carpet beetles
  8. frequently asked Questions

    9. the essentials in brief

    • The larvae of the carpet beetle feel comfortable in dark niches and feed on hair, dander or feathers. The material pests can occur in the bed. Adult beetles feed on pollen and nectar.
    • In search of suitable egg-laying places, females enter apartments. When the larvae hatch unnoticed, they leave food marks on textiles. Your hair can trigger allergic reactions on the skin or in the respiratory tract.
    • Traps should be set up to detect an infestation. Thorough cleaning is recommended as the first step. Carpet beetles can be fought with diatomaceous earth or neem oil and repelled with essential oils.
    • There are four common species that are characterized by variable coloration. Carpet beetles belong to a different genus than fur beetles. Beetles mate in spring, while larval development may be completed at different times.

    Carpet beetle larva under the magnifying glass

    Carpet beetles or figwort flower beetles hide where the vacuum cleaner cannot reach. They prefer to hide in closets or nest in laundry baskets, under beds or between the cushions of sofas. The larvae find optimal retreats in carpet fibers or clothing such as furs and skins. They can appear in shoes with padding or provide nasty surprises when the handbag that hasn't been used for a long time is taken out of the closet. Pet beds and bird cages are also popular hiding spots.

    Are carpet beetle larvae useful?

    Carpet beetle larvae eat leftover animal food

    Larvae perform important tasks in nature because they can digest keratin and thus decompose animal remains. Their diet includes skin, fur, feathers and horn. If you find remains of molting, larvae or a nest of eggs under the bed or in upholstered furniture, you should take a closer look at them. Such hiding places are ideal places for laying eggs, the appearance of which has few distinctive features.

    Where larvae feel comfortable

    A female only lays eggs once a year. She looks for suitable places that provide food for the larvae to lay her eggs. Dust, hair and dander collect under the mattress. Light rarely falls into these dark niches, so carpet beetle larvae feel particularly comfortable here.

    Under these optimal development conditions, they can feed, molt and pupate undisturbed. Moulting occurs several times during the development of the larvae, which is why you can find many remains of moulting in the typical hiding places in the event of an infestation. The infestation is usually not noticed until late.

    Do I have carpet beetle larvae in the bed?

    The carpet beetle lays whitish eggs that reach a size of 0.7 x 0.3 millimeters. Their shape is variable. Typical are lobe-like processes that are located at the end of the eggs. Adult carpet beetles are easy to spot, with the larvae of the imported Australian carpet beetle differing from those of the figwort beetle in body size and coloration.

    Typical appearance of a carpet beetle larva:

    • Body is tapered towards the end
    • Body trimmed with tufts of longer arrow hair
    • Figwort flower beetle 12 to 15 millimeters long, golden yellow in colour
    • Australian carpet beetle up to six millimeters long, brownish and yellowish and white underneath
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    Larvae but no beetles?

    When the larvae pupate depends on temperature and food supply. They can pass into the pupal stage as early as six months or as late as three years. As soon as the beetles hatch, they swarm out and seek their way into nature. Because of this variable development, it is more common for you to find many larvae but no beetles.

    Different food

    Adult carpet beetles feed on pollen and nectar. They have specialized in white-flowering plants and are therefore preferred on hawthorn, mountain ash or umbellifers. The insects usually do not find suitable food in apartments, so that newly hatched beetles quickly go out into nature in search of food. The larvae, on the other hand, can be found wherever there is food rich in keratin and chitin. Unlike many material pests, carpet beetles leave no droppings that reveal their activity.

    Larval food in apartments:

    • dried insects
    • dander and hair
    • bird feathers or down
    • textiles and wool
    • dried plant parts
    • pet food

    Where do carpet beetles come from?

    The insects are found in herb and bush rich environments that provide ample food. They are often found in pigeon lofts or bird nests, as the larvae have good chances of survival here. Carpet beetles are descendants of cultures and live mainly in the human environment.

    habitat apartment

    Adult beetles are attracted to light and enter the home through open windows and doors in the evening. When they want to leave the house during the day, they are attracted to daylight and gather on window panes. Their larvae avoid the light and retreat to dark hiding places such as cracks in floorboards between floor coverings.

    detect damage

    Wool, pelts, carpets or skins can be damaged by the feeding activities of the carpet beetle. Larvae can be found on any clothing that has been freshly laundered or soiled with leftover food and sweat. Infested textiles show specific signs of damage that can be confused with the activity of clothes moths or fur beetles.

    The holes of both pests are irregular. In contrast to carpet beetles, clothes moths leave behind typical webs. Compared to the fur beetle, whose larvae feed on the hair roots of fur textiles, the larvae of the figwort flower beetle mainly tamper with the ends of the hair.

    Are carpet beetles dangerous?

    Many people report numerous stings that they attribute to carpet beetles. In fact, the insects are harmful to health. Adult beetles and their larvae must be considered separately, because not every stage of development is hazardous to health.

    Can carpet beetles cause bites?

    Adult carpet beetles are strictly herbivores

    Adult carpet beetles feed exclusively on nectar and pollen, which is why they are classified as harmless to humans. Carpet beetle larvae can bite through cardboard or paper. However, they are unable to damage human skin with their mouthparts. They neither cause a bite nor are they responsible for typical stings.

    Larvae can be harmful to humans

    A rash is often mistaken for a sting or bite. Redness and wheals are the result of an allergy, which is triggered by the long hair of the larvae. Skin rashes reminiscent of bite wounds are caused by direct contact, for example when you put on a wool sweater in which larvae have nested. Proteins found in the hair and feces of the larvae can also trigger allergic reactions when inhaled.

    How can I fight carpet beetles?

    If you have clearly identified the pests, you can initiate control measures. Whereas the larvae and eggs should be the focus of attention for the figwort flower beetle, all developmental stages of the Australian carpet beetle must be eliminated. This species lives exclusively in buildings and, unlike its relatives, produces several generations in one year.

    What to do against carpet beetles?

    • Find "nest" and eliminate accumulations of larvae
    • Remove skin residue and dust
    • Clean thoroughly and allow niches to dry
    • Wash suitable textiles at 60 degrees or bake in the oven
    • freeze everything else for at least two days
    • Clean carpets and upholstery with a steam jet

    Most of the time you will find remains of molting or live larvae by accident, so that not every hiding place can be found. Thoroughness is therefore the top priority when fighting. You should take several measures to completely eliminate bugs, larvae and eggs.

    Fighting the carpet beetle: Trap as the first measure

    If you want to get rid of carpet beetles, you should first determine the severity of the infestation. A trap that attracts the adult beetles is suitable for this. The insects stick to the glued surface and die, both in the case of glue traps and pheromone traps. Pheromone traps are species specific and only attract male beetles. Sticky traps without sex attractants attract both female and male carpet beetles.

    pheromone trap sticky traps
    placement on the windowsill near the infestation sites
    control if necessary Every day
    To use for eliminating adult beetles to detect an infestation
    ingredients sex attractant Flavors and Glue
    advantage do not attract other insects cheaper option

    By the individuals caught, you can estimate how many larvae can develop. A female figwort flower beetle lays up to 20 eggs. In the Australian carpet beetle, the number of eggs and reproductive rate vary with temperature.

    Remove with the vacuum cleaner

    Regular vacuuming prevents infestation and removes any larvae and their food

    Vacuuming all niches is the first measure to remove eggs and larvae and their moult residues. Thoroughness is extremely important, as the beetle larvae can be in a wide variety of places in the home. They withdraw into picture frames or live between inaccessible shelves. Use an upholstery nozzle that is as thin as possible to vacuum up such cracks. Then dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag in the garbage can so that the larvae do not crawl back into the apartment.

    Eliminate larvae in bed

    Strip the bed and wash covers. Take the mattress out of the bed box and place it on the balcony or patio to air it out. By beating, you remove important food sources such as hair and dander from the larvae. The mattress dries well in the sun, making the living conditions for the beetle larvae worse.

    You should avoid using poison in the bedroom. Instead, place lavender sachets or cedar logs in the bed base, as the smell will repel harmful insects such as the carpet beetle.

    Anyone who finds larvae in the bed should identify the species accurately. Otherwise, most attempts to combat it end in vain.

    silicate powder or diatom flour

    Some organisms develop skeletons with a pebbly structure. Diatomaceous earth, which acts like silicate powder, is made from the shells of fossil diatoms or diatoms. Fossil plankton is an effective means of killing carpet beetles and their larvae. Scatter it in all the nooks and crannies so that the organisms are pollinated directly. The crystalline structure of the particles destroys the protective wax layer and absorbs liquid, so that the creatures dry out after a short time. Diatomaceous earth is harmless to humans.

    Does baking soda help against carpet beetles?

    The raising agent is one of the popular means that destroys vermin in a natural way. In fact, the powder has a deadly effect. However, you must dust larvae and beetles heavily with baking soda. The fine particles primarily block the insects' breathing openings, so that they slowly suffocate. If the beetles do not come into contact with the agent, there will be no effect.

    digression

    This is how bugs breathe

    Insects' shells are riddled with numerous tiny holes that ensure the supply of oxygen. The gas flows through the openings into a network of tubes called tracheae. These invaginations are lined on the inside by a thin layer of chitin and are stabilized by ring-shaped thickening. On the one hand, body movements ensure breathing, but the different concentrations of gases also influence the exchange. In this way, the stale air is exhaled while fresh oxygen reaches the organs.

    Smother with essential oils

    The aromas of different plants act as so-called repellents. They deter many material pests such as carpet beetles. Such natural fragrances are harmless for most people, but can have a disturbing effect on the well-being of sensitive people. Test beforehand which aromas you find pleasant. Since essential oils are volatile and lose their effect quickly, you should replace the substances regularly and at the latest after three months.

    • lavender: lay out dried flowers in bags or use lavandin oil
    • conifers: roughen fresh cedar wood with sandpaper or vaporize incense sticks with a cedar wood scent
    • deciduous trees: Drizzle Australian tea tree or neem oil into small bowls
    • patchouli: Spread leaves, granules or oil

    neem oil

    Neem oil is a natural insecticide that negatively affects the life cycle of insects. If the beetles come into contact with the nerve toxin, they stop feeding. They suffer from reduced vitality and can no longer reproduce.

    pyrethrum

    If the infestation is particularly severe, only insecticides usually help. Pyrehtrum is a natural active ingredient that is extracted from chrysanthemums. When exposed to light, the substance decomposes within a short time, so that the effect wears off. Therefore, products for combating vermin are enriched with a chemical effect enhancer. Agents with such piperonyl butoxide (PBO for short) are not natural products and can adversely affect health.

    Effect on insects:

    • impairment of the nervous system
    • Blockage of sodium channels in nerve membranes
    • Nerve cells cannot build up their resting potential again

    tips

    Many wool carpets have been treated with pyrethroids to protect them from being eaten by moths and beetles. This pre-treatment is a criterion of the wool seal, which is awarded for carpets.

    species and relatives

    The museum beetle looks quite similar to the carpet beetle

    The common carpet and museum beetles belong to the genus Anthenus. They are a few millimeters long and have a rounded shape. The material pests are often reminiscent of ladybugs. Their antennae have a characteristic feature by which carpet beetles can be clearly identified. They end in a small club, which is slightly thicker in males than in females.

    scientific colloquial Appear
    Figwort beetle Anthrenus scrophulariae carpet beetle in nature and in buildings
    Australian carpet beetle Anthrenocerus australis carpet beetle are limited to living in buildings in Europe
    Woolly Flower Beetle Anthrenus verbasci museum beetle almost exclusively in human surroundings
    cabinet beetle Anthrenus museorum museum beetle often with the carpet beetle

    color variety

    Most species are characterized by a conspicuous pattern that appears on the dark colored elytra. These are covered by brown, red, white, or gray scales that wear away with age. In older beetles, the wear has progressed so much that the body is completely black.

    Characteristic drawings:

    • Figwort beetle: almost continuous red band, three indicated light cross bands
    • Australian carpet beetle: white spots and light zigzag bands partially resolved into spots
    • Woolly Flower Beetle: three light wavy transverse bands, brown scales in between
    • cabinet beetle: black, white and brown-yellow scales in variable markings

    Risk of confusion: fur beetle

    Similar damage is caused by species in a related genus. Fur beetles also belong to the bacon beetles, which as culture followers prefer to settle close to humans. The fine body hair is typical of these species, which is how the insects got their German name.

    Unlike carpet beetles, fur beetles do not have conspicuous scales. Both the brown and the common fur beetle are dark in color, varying between brown and black. This makes them easily confused with carpet beetles, which appear dark due to the loss of their colored scales.

    Things to know about carpet beetles

    In early spring, carpet beetles suddenly appear out of nowhere. They crawl out of their wintering quarters and swarm out in search of food. They fly in the direction of daylight to find nectar and pollen. In spring, large numbers of carpet beetles can be observed on various plants such as chervil, wild carrot or spirea.

    pairing

    After the beetles hatch, they go in search of food. They prefer to fly to white flowers where they eat at maturity. Pollen and nectar are consumed in large quantities to generate energy. Females and males meet at the flowers, so that mating takes place.

    egg laying

    The females consciously choose darker places to lay their eggs and increasingly avoid the light. In the evening, they enter apartments through open windows and doors. Light sources attract additional carpet beetles from outside. Most of the eggs are laid between May and June. As a rule, a female lays up to 20 eggs directly in the breeding substrate. The clutch can also contain around 40 eggs. This means that carpet beetles are less productive than other species.

    development

    The larval stage can last up to four months

    At room temperature, the first larvae hatch after about two weeks. A larva goes through five to six instars before pupating. The higher the temperatures, the faster adult beetles develop from the eggs. At 27 degrees Celsius, the complete development takes between three and four months. If the conditions are unfavorable, the development cycle can extend to several years.

    • some of the larvae develop into beetles in the same year
    • many beetles overwinter in the pupa and hatch only in the following spring
    • Larvae often hibernate in unheated rooms

    tips

    Shedding remains can also be assigned to specific species or genera. If the larva leaves behind a conical-shaped shell with tufts of hair, it is a bacon beetle.

    frequently asked Questions

    How do I recognize carpet beetles?

    The appearance of the imagines is characterized by an oval body shape, which makes them similar to ladybirds. All Anthrenus species have this feature. Carpet beetles reach a size between three and five millimeters.

    The basic color is black, with young beetles being completely covered by scales of a different color. These ensure a nearly continuous red band along the elytra seam. Typical are three indicated light transverse bands that stretch across the elytra. Additional reddish scales may be present on the sides. As they age, the scales rub off, causing the beetles to become darker.

    Identifying feature pronotum:

    • laterally light red and dark in the middle
    • red coloring at the seam to the elytra
    • in addition to this red variant, there are yellow variants

    Why can carpet beetle larvae digest keratin?

    Keratin is a protein that forms hair or feathers. It is insoluble in water and consists of numerous disulfide bridges that only a few species can break down. These specialists include not only carpet beetle larvae but also clothes moths. The larvae of the figwort flower beetle can only feed on feathers and hair, as special microorganisms live in their intestinal appendages. These are able to synthesize essential substances and thereby promote the digestion of keratin.

    How quickly do carpet beetles develop?

    Different amounts of time can elapse from the egg to the adult beetle. How quickly the larvae go through their individual stages of development depends largely on the temperature. They go through several stages between which they molt. The number of larval stages also varies between six and twelve. At normal room temperatures, the entire development takes about 3.5 months. If conditions are unfavourable, it can take up to 24 months and rarely three years.

    How long does a carpet beetle live?

    When the beetle has hatched, it remains in the old larva skin for two to three months if the outside conditions are unfavorable. Only in spring do they free themselves and swarm towards the daylight to find food. Such carpet beetles have a life expectancy of a few days. If the insects stay in the last larval skin for only three weeks, their lifespan can be extended to a month. This also depends on the food supply and water availability, so that small fluctuations are possible.

    Why are carpet beetle larvae useful?

    They decompose remains that are no longer eaten by other living beings. Carpet beetle larvae can digest dry remains of dead animals such as cartilage, hair, feathers or claws. Carpet beetles therefore prefer to lay their eggs in bird nests with feathers or dead baby birds.

Category:

Animals in the garden