Typically creatures that are in their infancy pose little threat to people, think about it when was the last time you were scared of a smiling baby, a curious puppy, a playful kitten, a swimming tadpole, or even wiggly mosquito larvae? The answer is probably never, you probably never even thought about being wary of a “baby” anything. Unfortunately, that statement doesn’t hold true for all creatures, for some, especially some insects, the larval stage is much more dangerous than their adult stage, and a prime example is the carpet beetle. Adult carpet beetles really don't pose any threat to people, nor do they cause any damages to the structure of homes or personal belongings, but their larvae are another story!
Carpet beetle larvae are considered to be a damaging pest and precautions to prevent them from taking up residence inside your home should always be taken. Now you may be thinking to yourself, "stop being dramatic," how much damage could a tiny larva possibly cause? Well, we are here to tell you that they can actually cause significant damage and are considered to be one of the most common household invading pests! Carpet beetle larvae love to feed on natural fabrics, hair, and other insects; and so they can be found dining on leather, wool, cotton, and furs. Their varied appetite means that they won’t hesitate to help themselves to your clothing, carpets, blankets, and upholstered furniture, damaging them in the process.
Unfortunately, there is more bad news in regards to carpet beetle larvae, their larval stage can last for more than a year - that is a long time to have unwanted guests living in your home, feeding on your personal belongings. Another serious problem that can arise with a carpet beetle infestation is that these pests are often confused with bed bugs, and not because they bite you and feed on your blood, but because of the rash that their bristled bodies can leave behind on a person. Carpet beetle larvae are attracted to the oils found in human hair and will crawl up your body as you sleep to feed on those oils - we know, unpleasant to think about!
For all the reasons mentioned above, it is very important to put into place precautionary measures around your home to keep these pests out and away from your family and personal belongings. Check out these carpet beetle prevention tips:
While adults aren’t damaging, they also need to be kept out of your home to prevent them from laying their eggs inside of it. Adults feed on plant nectar and pollen, so it is important to inspect outdoor plants and flowers for unwanted guests before bringing them in from the outside.
Another way to keep adults out of your home is to make sure that window and door screens are completely intact and that weather stripping around doors and windows is intact.
Do not store clothing, blankets, and other similar items inside of cardboard boxes. Instead, thoroughly wash the items before storage and place the items inside of pest-proof boxes or bags.
Have carpets, upholstered furniture, and curtains professionally deep-cleaned on a regular basis.
Regularly vacuum and dust your home to remove hair, dust, dead insects and other debris that carpet beetles larvae could dine on.
In addition to the above prevention tips, the very best way to prevent carpet beetle larvae and to sleep soundly at night is to put into place a year-round pest control services from the experts at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators. Through our Home Guardian SM Service in Rock Island, you receive year-round pest control protection from carpet beetles, other pests, rodents, termites, and a wood damage warranty for one affordable price! Contact us today, to learn more about protecting your family and belongings from carpet beetles and other household invading pests through Quik-Kill's effective residential pest control services.