Varied Carpet Beetles
(Actual Size 1/8 inch - 5mm)
The varied carpet beetle is widely distributed in the United States. Adults are much smaller than the black carpet beetle. Their body shape is more rounded when viewed from above and they have a pattern of white, brown and yellow scales on the upper surface of their wing covers.
Eggs are laid in various locations, where they hatch in 17 to 18 days. Larvae molt 7 or 8 times over about 7 to 11 months. Mature larvae are rarely more than 1/4-inch long and bear three pairs of hair tufts on the back end of the abdomen. These hairs can be irritating to the skin, or if breathed into the nose or lungs. The larva is rather wide in proportion to its length and has a "hippy" appearance since it is usually broader at the back than at the front.
Varied carpet beetle larvae are scavengers. They are quite common in nests of birds and spiders, on dead animals and in insect collections. They feed on a variety of animal products such as woolens, carpets, hides, feathers, horns, bone and insect pupae; as well as on plant products such as rye meal, corn, red pepper and other similar materials. The have also been found in drywood termite workings after fumigation has killed the termites.
Varied Carpet Beetle Larvae (Actual Size 1/4 inch - 8mm)
Pupae are formed in the last larval exoskeleton, and take 10 to 13 days to develop into adults.
Prevention of Furniture Beetles
The best way to avoid carpet beetle problems is through prevention. Woolens and other susceptible fabrics should be dry cleaned or laundered before being stored for long periods. Cleaning not only removes perspiration odors that are attractive to the beetles, but also kills any eggs or larvae that may be present.
How to Get Rid of Varied Carpet Beetles:
Inspection:
The first step in Varied Carpet beetle elimination is a thorough inspection of the entire structure. Varied Carpet beetle larvae prefer to feed in dark, undisturbed, protected places. Before the infestation is discovered, the active forms (larvae and adults) may have distributed themselves in such places as the lint collected behind baseboards, in air ducts, in the stuffing of furniture and in the bristles of old paint brushes. From these unsuspected locations, Varied Carpet beetles may continue to re-infest valued woolens for long periods of time.
Check under baseboards, in and under upholstered furniture, piano felts, air ducts, stuffed animal trophies, stored cereals, bird nests under eaves, , wasp nests in attics, dead birds or rodents in wall voids, woolens, clothes closets, furs, etc. Varied Carpet beetles favor animal nests such as that of birds and rodents and can be a source of infestation in the winter when the first sign of cold weather forces the beetles indoors. Location and removal of such nests before winter can also prevent infestation.
Often the cast skins are more abundant than the larvae. Adult beetles flying around windows may help in locating the infestation.
The list of materials upon which furniture beetles can feed successfully is extensive. It includes such diverse substances as meal and flour, peas and beans, animal dandruff, dead insects, leather, dried meats, silk, powdered milk and dog food as well as the natural food substance of wool, fur, hair and feathers mentioned previously. Eggs, larvae, pupae and adults may be brought into the home in any of these substances.
Since adult beetles feed on pollen and nectar, all cut flowers from the outdoors should be inspected for Varied Carpet beetle presence.
Screens should also be installed around windows and doors should be tightly fitted to prevent adults from entering the structure.
Vacumming:
Remove debris such as animal hair and lint that serves as a food source for Varied Carpet beetles. When located, infested articles should be disposed of. However, if the item is of high value, several options are available. Items such as furs can be placed in cold storage at temperatures around 40oC. Also, some items may be frozen for a week in an effort to kill all beetle larvae.
Chemical Treatment:
In the case of a heavy infestation, insecticide treatment may be necessary. Before making insecticide treatments for Varied Carpet beetles, the premises should be thoroughly vacuumed. A residual Insecticide spray that is registered for control of Varied Carpet beetles is D-Fense SC Insecticide .
You can also use residual aerosols with a crack and crevice tip like Alpine Aerosols
Indoor spot or surface treatment with insecticides can provide effective control of Varied Carpet beetles, although more than one application may be necessary.
D-Fense SC
Residual insecticides in the emulsifiable concentrates such as D-Fense SC are the best formulations for treatment of carpets and rugs.
Use
one gallon of finished product per 1,000 sq. ft. to allow for proper
penetration.
Retreat at least two more times, at intervals of 3 weeks.
When spraying rugs or area rugs it would be advisable to spray underneath
the underside of the rugs a couple feet or the entire underside.
Clothes should not be sprayed directly.
When spraying or dusting rugs, closet areas, and storage areas, be sure to treat all known or suspected feeding and hiding places. Varied Carpet beetles leaving the infested products will contact the sprayed surfaces and die. Spot treatment of rugs may be may also be made with D-Fense SC
Cracks and crevices can be treated with a dust such as D-Fense Dust
or an aerosol such as
PT Alpine Aerosol
PT Alpine Aerosol is a
a residual aerosol ,with a crack and crevice tip , sprayed in the
cracks and crevices, to kill the adult beetles .
Spray under and on edges of floor coverings, under rugs and furniture and in closets or other places where you see them.
You will need 2-4 treatments spaced about 3 weeks apart, due to the
nature of their cycles.
D-Fense Dust has a residual of up to 8 months when left undisturbed. D-Fense Dust may be applied at the edge of carpeting near the baseboards in infested rooms.
May be applied using a hand duster or electric dusters.
Remember:
- Although larva and adults may be easily killed, eggs and pupa are not, a complete vacuuming is important.
- Vacuuming may be used to remove debris such as animal hair and lint that serves as a food source for black carpet beetles.
- Do
not use any insecticide on surfaces where food is eaten, prepared,
or stored, or on food itself.