CARPET BEETLES

Carpet Beetles

Description: Adult furniture carpet beetles are 1/16 to 1.8 inches long. The underside of the body is white.

Biology: Adult females lay about 30-100 eggs in areas where the larvae are able to feed. The eggs hatch in nine to 19 days, and the larvae develop from 70 to 94 days before pupating in their last larval skin. The adults emerge from the pupal skin in 9 to 19 days and may live for another 60 days. Development from egg to adult is 90 days to two years.

Habits: This insect is found world-wide. It gets its name from its habit of feeding on the hair padding, feathers, or woolen upholstery of furniture. It also feeds on wool, hair, fur, feathers, bristles, horn, tortoise shell, silk, insects, dried carcasses, dried cheese, dried blood, glue, and book bindings. It damages linen, cotton, jute, softwood, and leather when these items are soiled.

Learn About Other Pests:

TICKS, BEDBUGS, CENTIPEDES, MILLIPEDES, EARWIGS, SILVERFISH, HOUSE CRICKETS, BOX ELDER BUGS, STINK BUGS, COCKROACHES, CLOVER MITES