Carpet Beetles
In addition to attacking natural fiber carpets, carpet beetles also will attack as wool, furs, silk, feathers, felt , leather, and some stored products. Long term, undetected infestations can result in significant damage to clothing, bedding, floor coverings and other articles. There are many species of these common scavengers. The varied carpet beetle and the larder beetle are common in Kentucky.
Varied carpet beetles are about 1/10-inch long black beetles with an irregular pattern of white, brown, and yellow scales on their hard wing covers. These beetles feed outdoors on nectar and flower pollen. They are attracted to sunlight and are often found at windows in early spring.
Beetles undergo complete metamorphosis so the hairy, worm-like larvae look very different from the adults. They prefer dark, undisturbed places where they feed on a variety of natural products: natural fibers, furs, feathers, hair, processed meals and mixes, spices, cereals, and dried pet foods. They also can feed on accumulations of dead insects in ceiling light fixtures, wall voids, and attics, in addition to pet hair. These insects are very common in houses and buildings.
Larder beetles feed on a variety of animal-related materials: feathers, skins, and carcasses. Around the kitchen and food storage areas, they can feed on fur, hair, hides, feathers, cured meats, stuffed animals, pet food, and cheese. Infestations frequently can be traced to dried pet food that contains enough meat and bone meal and animal fat to allow development of this insect. They can live on fat accumulations behind stoves or in grease deposits in fume hoods. They also can develop in dead rodents, bats, or birds trapped between walls or in chimneys, heating ducts or crawl spaces, or accumulations of dried insects in window or ceiling light fixtures can be a food source for these beetles.
The key to ending carpet beetle problems is to find and remove the source. Then, the area must be cleaned thoroughly, including cracks and crevices where larvae and eggs may have accumulated. Crack and crevice insecticide applications may be needed to end the infestation.