Two main types of carpet beetles found in nebraska are the varied carpet beetle and black carpet beetle.
Carpet beetle larvae cast skins.
Such materials contain keratin a fibrous animal protein which the larvae are able to digest.
Also carpet beetle larvae leave brown shell like bristly looking cast skins when they molt.
Similar to clothes moths the pests also feed on many other items composed of wool fur felt silk feathers skins and leather.
Often the cast skins are more abundant than the larvae.
They feed outdoors on pollen or not at all.
It is the larva or immature stage of these insects that cause damage to fabrics fur feathers or virtually anything made of animal fibers.
Additionally carpet beetle larvae leave cast skins while molting which may cause allergic reactions and dermatitis in some highly sensitive individuals.
The variegated carpet beetle is 2 to 4mm long like a small mottled brown grey and cream ladybird.
Carpet beetles as their name implies sometimes infest carpets.
These light brown empty skins remain behind and can accumulate in areas where larvae are feeding.
Carpet beetle larvae molt or shed their skins several times as they grow.
The best way to tell carpet beetle damage from clothes moth damage is to look for shed skins left behind by carpet beetle larvae.
Good housekeeping is critical.
The adults fly and some are attracted to lights and windows making.
Carpet beetles are common pests of fabrics.
One of the best methods of control is thorough cleaning.
Adult beetles flying around windows may help in locating the infestation.
The larvae have to molt several times in order to grow.
Larvae undergo many molts where they shed their exoskeleton to progress to a larger more mature larval stage before pupating into an adult.
Also carpet beetle larvae leave brown shell like bristly looking cast skins when they molt.
The larvae known as woolly bears of these small oval beetles have outstripped the clothes moths as the major british textile pest.
Cast skins may be found in great abundance and serve as a sign for a current or past infestation.
Black carpet beetle adult and larvae.
The related fur beetle is black with one spot on each wing case and there is a rarer black carpet beetle.
Their old skins split down the back much like a cicada nymph s shell and the larvae work their way out.
Look for shed skins on the underside of rugs in folds or hidden areas on clothing or wool blankets or under furniture or in corners where lint pet hair and dead insects.
How do i control them.
These skins and a lack of webbing are usually good clues that carpet beetles are the culprits.
Adult carpet beetles do not damage fabrics.
However carpet beetles tend to eat a single large area of a fabric whereas moths create tiny holes all over garments.
The empty skin remains in the shape of the larva is.
