Subject: Insect ID
Location: Agoura Hills CA
March 5, 2013 5:32 pm
Greetings from Southern California. We see examples of this crawling on our walls from time to time. Here’s a photo I took today myself March 5, 2013. The finger is to indicate the scale. My kids are concerned, though I’m sure it’s harmless. Many thanks.
Signature: Alan
Varied Carpet Beetle
Dear Alan,
It seems that in recent weeks, a significant percentage of our insect identification requests have been for Carpet Beetles, including the Varied Carpet Beetle, Anthrenus verbasci, the species in your image. Your photo is of a much higher quality than most of the requests we have received recently, so we are using your request as a feature on our site to inform our readers about Carpet Beetles. Carpet Beetles are common household pests that feed on a variety of organic items in the home, including “wide variety of materials of animal origin (wool, fur, skins…)(1); stored food materials and products (biscuits, cakes, seeds, wheat, maize, oats, rice, cayenne pepper, cacao, and dried cheese)” according to BugGuide. For clarification, only the larvae eat those items. Adults, which are frequently found on windowsills, feed on pollen.
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How can I get rid of these Bugs?
You need to find the source of the infestation. The adult beetles feed on pollen and they do not survive on items in the home. Larvae feed on a variety of stored foods in the pantry as well as on things like fur, feathers, leather and wool. Vacuuming pet hair might also help with the control of carpet beetles.
I am in west texas. i also am having issues with these. Whats the best way to get rid of them?
You need to find the source of the infestation. The adult beetles feed on pollen and they do not survive on items in the home. Larvae feed on a variety of stored foods in the pantry as well as on things like fur, feathers, leather and wool. Vacuuming pet hair might also help with the control of carpet beetles.
What do the larvae stages look like?
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2013/01/22/carpet-beetle-larvae-4/
I did not realize these are house pests. The only ones I have seen have been in woodland nearby. I was told they were Varigated Carpet Beetles but they look the same so I think that is problem just a name variation.
Adult Carpet Beetles feed on pollen and only the larvae feed on household items.