How to Find Carpet Beetles

​Whether Bed Bugs, Carpet Beetles, Cockroaches or Fleas, when searching for pests the best place to start is knowing the biology and behavior of the pest in question. Just like a successful hunter knows about deer, a successful Pest Pro knows about pests. And, the more you know about the pest, the better.

​As a Pest Pro with decades of experience I get a lot of questions about pests from all sorts of people from all sorts of places, circumstances and situations. No matter the situation, the fundamental pest management concepts apply and adherence to these fundamentals sets us on the path toward successful elimination of the pest problem we're dealing with.

Let's take the Carpet Beetle for example.

​We need to know about the biology and behavior of this pest. However, Entomologically Sound Fundamentals dictate that we must first correctly identify the pest in question. This is so because, within reason and practically speaking, each species has its own biology and behavior that we need to consider when attempting to eliminate the pest.

How do we learn what we need to know about these pest?

There are numerous online resources that are widely available to the general public. Such sources include, but are not limited to; websites of various University Departments of Entomology, Chemical Companies, Departments of Health, Departments of Agriculture, Pest Management Firms, Facebook pages and many others.

Larvae (lower left) and adult of the furniture carpet beetle, Anthrenus flavipes (LeConte). Photograph by Clemson University; www.insectimages.org.

​From these online sources we can learn biology, behavior, control strategies and view photos & videos which may help us to correctly identify the pest we're dealing with. And, once we know about the pest, we're better able to hunt for them, eliminate them, prevent them and control them successfully on a long term basis.

If we search for information on Carpet Beetles, we will learn that these beetles have complete metamorphosis which includes an egg, a grub like larvae stage, a pupae and the adult beetle. We also will learn what materials they feed upon, how they feed, where they usually hide and other information such that we're then able to figure out where such conditions may exist in our home. Knowing this helps us to know where to look for them.

We will learn that Carpet Beetles feed upon natural fibers such as animal fur, hides, wool and other such materials. It's not uncommon to find these beetles, and related species, feeding upon a wool sweater or yarn stored somewhere in the house and not seen or used for many months.

Larvae Casings Found in a Cat Post Carpet Fibers. Photographed by Pete LaQuaglia www.GreenDyno.com

How do we find where these pests are coming from? ​

​There are a number of fundamental methodologies which help us to find the sources of these pests when properly implemented. Of course, there's no substitute for a thorough inspection of the structure. However, if we're unable to find the target pest via a suitably thorough inspection we may utilize additional techniques to enhance our hunting results. One such technique is the strategic placement of sticky traps and/or various monitors which may include the presence of attractants.

​Once placed, such monitor traps are subsequently checked to see if target pests have been caught and, if so, how many. These monitor traps may be "read" via the presence of pests, the direction thereof, the number of pests and location where found. Logically, the monitor which contains the most target pest specimen is likely the one located closest to the source of the pest problem.

​Of course when dealing with large structures these traps must be mapped and suitably documented such that we can better determine the history and locations where pests are found. In this way, we're better able to use this technique to help us find the source or sources of the pest problem.
I hope this helps you, good luck to all !