Direct Damage

Carpet beetle babies have a preference for feeding on products that come from animals such as furs, skins, wool, hair and feathers. If you have items in your home that are made from these products, such as blankets, sheets, clothing, furniture, drapes, tapestries, scarves, hats, and more, you can expect trouble. The larvae of carpet beetles are also known to eat holes in items made from yarn, cotton, and synthetic fibers, but to a lesser extent.

Carpet beetles aren't the only pests that feed on items made from natural and synthetic fibers. Is there a way to tell that the culprit eating your stuff is a carpet beetle baby? There is, actually. The damage done by a carpet beetle larvae will look more like large spots rather than smaller, random holes. While this isn't conclusive proof, it can be helpful.

Indirect Damage

When carpet beetle larvae are infesting a home, they can aggravate allergies and cause a rash. The skin rash that can occur often has homeowners wondering if they have bed bugs because the rash looks red and bumpy, like several bug bites clumped together, and the rashes happen in bed during the night. This might have you wondering, "Why do carpet beetles get into beds?" There are two big reasons and we've already mentioned them both. Can you figure it out? If your answer is that they get into your bed to feed on the fibers in your sheets, pillowcases, or blankets and also to nibble on your shed hair, you're correct. When carpet beetle larvae get into your bed to feed, you come into contact with them and this can cause a bumpy allergic reaction.

Carpet Beetles and Illness

Apart from the risk of a rash, these insects don't present a threat for illness. They don't bite or sting and they are not known to spread diseases or harmful bacteria.

Do you think you have carpet beetles?

Now that you know what these baby beetles can do, you probably want to know how to properly identify them when they get into your home. Recognizing carpet beetles can alert you to the danger of having their babies feeding on things in your home. Carpet beetles are about 1/16 of an inch long and they look a little bit like an egg that has been sliced in half lengthwise. Most often, they will be a spotted mix of brown, black, white, and yellow, but some are black or a mix of black and other colors. It depends on the species.

If you see a beetle that you think might be a carpet beetle, it is a good idea to take a look under your rugs and check other items that might have carpet beetle larvae on them. While the caterpillar larvae of carpet beetles are less than a 1/16 of an inch long, they are still detectable without magnification. Look for brown, hairy caterpillars stuck to fabric items. You can also look for the holes they create in order to zero in on the larvae themselves.