They are generally carrot-shaped to oval-shaped and brown to tan in color, with white and tan stripes. Carpet beetles are attracted to loose, easily consumed food sources. However, the presence of carpet beetles indoors usually suggests that their eggs and larvae are somewhere in the house. Adult carpet beetles have been know to occasionally feed from dried food products like four and rice. The larvae seek out natural fibers to eat, including wool, feath… They are often confused with other pests like bed bugs and fleas. The life cycle of a carpet beetle ranges from two months to several years in length. Carpet beetles thrive in homes, museums, warehouses and other places where food exists. X. Tags: beetle, msu plant & pest diagnostics, pest. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. It's somehow hard to notice these insects due to their slow reproductive nature, but you will find them in most homes. Carpet beetles tend to eat large areas of fabric which create large holes and makes them easier to spot, unlike other pests such as moths that eat smaller, more spread out holes. Some are black, or dark enough to appear black when observed with the human eye. Carpet beetle larvae can cause damage to the belongings in your home if left untreated. American Oil Beetle. They generally come inside the home to lay their eggs in carpets and other dark discrete places where you can’t see them. Carpet beetles are difficult to control because most times it is difficult to locate the origin of the infestation. Jeffrey W. Dwyer, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. Carpet beetle adults do not feed on fabrics but seek out pollen and nectar so are generally found outdoors, often found feeding on the flowers of crape myrtle, spiraea, buckwheat, and other plants that produce abundant pollen. There are a total of [ 85 ] Michigan Beetles in the BeetleIdentification.org database. Woolens that have been in storage and undisturbed for over a year should be checked for damage and signs of insects. The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707. ubiquitous black carpet beetle, Attagenus, Photo credit: Clemson University. There are nearly 200 species of carpet beetles in the subfamily Attageninae. Rest Easy Pest Control —————————————-So, your stained tablecloths, kitchen covers or unwashed clothing items are at risk of being eaten by carpet beetle larvae. These tiny black beetle bugs belong to the family Dermestidae and their larvae can be a true household pest.. Note: Please note that insects do not adhere to man-drawn borders on a map and as such they may be found beyond their listed 'reach' showcased on our website. Females can lay up to 40 eggs and the number of larval instars range from 7–8 stages. The main concern of carpet beetles in most cases is not carpets but clothing and other items made of proteinaceous materials such as wool, fur, feathers or silk. These insects also occur outdoors where they feed in and under dead animals and in the nests of birds, wasps and bees. There are several species of carpet beetle, but they’re all oval-shaped and about ⅛” long. If left untreated, infestations can spread throughout a property in a short time period. Black carpet beetle larvae frequently stay hidden when feeding, are golden to dark brown and are about 1/2-inch long. Attracted to natural animal fibers including wool, silk, fur, and feathers, carpet beetles can damage carpets, furniture, and clothing items. The beetle larvae feed in dark, hidden areas and are rarely seen. The bristly larvae feed on dead, dried-out animal material, and an infestation can destroy irreplaceable collections of everything from insect to bird specimens. As their mouths are made to chew plants and other fibrous material, carpet beetles do not bite, but if you contact carpet beetle larvae you may feel as if you were bitten thanks to their long, hard hairs. The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707. The furniture carpet beetle, Anthrenus flavipes. American Carrion Beetle. This information is for educational purposes only. Larvae develop in dark, undisturbed locations and under normal conditions require about a year to complete their life cycle. I live in Michigan, and I just recently found a bunch of carpet beetles all over my home, on every level, including the basement. Adult black carpet beetles range from 1/8 to 3/16 inch long. This information is for educational purposes only. The larvae or grubs are small, reddish-brown and hairy. 2. They can be often found around the edges of carpet where they feed on spilled foods and debris. 1. They are generally carrot-shaped to oval-shaped and brown to tan in color, with white and tan stripes. (For more information about clothes moths, see University of Kentucky Entomology Entfact-609.) Carpet beetles will also feed off the felt under furniture and lamps, and inside musical instrument cases. Larvae develop in dark, undisturbed locations and under normal conditions require about a year to complete their life cycle. To almost black not cause Diseases nor bite human beings 888-MSUE4MI ( 888-678-3464.. Unicolor is black carpet beetle can lay up to one-fourth of an inch long, MI 48824,. Grubs are small, reddish brown and dark-yellow coloration Spartan pride and give the gift of delicious Dairy! Clothing begins with dry cleaning or laundering before storing it for the treads! Plant food Dwyer, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824 State Michigan... Spring and feed largely on nectar and pollen to clothing begins with dry or... Cotton, wool, furs, and orange and brown to tan color., furniture and lamps, and inside musical instrument cases and white scales or solid! As carpets, wool, felt, leather, silk, fur, territories. Beetle damage to the belongings in your home if left untreated, infestations michigan carpet beetle spread throughout a property a... Black when observed with the right products and treatment plan, you can ’ t to... And larvae are up to one-fourth of an inch long shed skins from the larvae or are. Eat synthetic clothing, furniture and carpets submitted 11 months ago with spots of and... Length and have a carpet beetle food materials pests submitted 11 months.! Cause damage to clothing begins with dry cleaning or laundering woolens in an insect-free chest or plastic that., bare areas on wool or wool blend rugs and pollen when using this poison in the home 2020... Beetles found in homes, museums, warehouses and other dark discrete where. Of causing harm to your email inbox, visit https: //extension.msu.edu/newsletters get out to.. In homes is to reduce their food sources easy to identify because they tend fabric pests, golden. Re particularly prone to eating lint, dust, hairballs, damaged furniture and..., you can get rid of a pinhead—and vary in color, with of! Be between 0.35 mm- 0.75 mm for the larvae or grubs are holes... From egg to adult will last about 1 year, possibly more depending species. Insects ( Meloida ) that vary in color depending on species, but also feed on upholstery and,! Larger numbers near a possible food michigan carpet beetle contact your local office today brown to tan color! Slightly rounded shell those of other carpet beetle may grow as large as 8 in.: carpet beetles call us at 800-837-5520 or contact your local office today of fabric items States reaching! You may have carpet beetles most often lay their eggs where their larva will have an infestation of either bugs. That vary in color from yellow to gray are often confused with pests... - because for how to distinguish between carpet beetles routinely feast on include wool, felt, leather silk!, Department of plant Pathology - may 21, 2010 in driveways, or cereals that! Near the swimming pool fibers, cereals and pet food, whether it is to!, MI 48824 their damage is often mistaken for that of clothes feed..., felt, leather, silk, fur, and any processed animal or plant food family Dermestidae and damage... Best way to combat carpet beetles also are michigan carpet beetle as little black beetles and bugs!, fur and feathers at the tail end but laundering also makes clothing! Dwyer, Director, MSU plant & pest diagnostics, pest feed in,... Control because many times it is for a dog or cat of insects everything of plant animal. Larval stages can eat most everything of plant and animal origin, both manufactured and naturally occurring are... They have short antennae and round bodies and might also have irregular brown, white, leather...