Have you ever paid to have a new carpet installed? If you’ve ever invested in new carpeting, you might be a bit more sensitive when you hear the name black carpet beetle. Even if you don’t know much about these tiny pests, their name alone makes you wonder if they pose a threat to the carpets around your Houston home. We have some bad news for you. Your carpet isn’t the only thing at risk when these pests are around. Fortunately, there are some strategies to prevent carpet beetles from infesting your Houston home.
What Are Black Carpet Beetles?
Here in Houston, if you have a carpet beetle problem, you are likely dealing with black carpet beetles. Black carpet beetles are six-legged, hard-shelled pests. As their name would suggest, these pests are distinguishable by their jet-black bodies. Adults, however, don’t eat carpets. Rather, they lay their eggs in carpets or on fabrics so that their young have a viable food source. Once hatched, carpet beetle larvae will feed until they reach maturity. This can take up to two years. Once adults, they only survive for a few weeks.
One thing you should know about black carpet beetles is that they are the most common and destructive species of beetle in the United States. These tiny pests can go unnoticed in homes for long periods of time allowing them to build their population while quietly destroying furniture and carpeting. During the long duration of time it takes for larvae to reach adulthood, they feed constantly on your carpeting. Although it only takes eggs six to ten days to hatch, larvae can take from three months to two years before pupating and transforming into full adults. Once adults, they will stop eating fabrics and move onto insects, flowers, and other plants.
How Do Black Carpet Beetles Get Into Homes?
Black carpet beetles get into homes in the same way that many other pests do. Adults fly around looking for open windows and doors, gaps and cracks, or any other open space they can use to squeeze inside. Like bed bugs, they will also hitchhike into your home on used furniture, inside clothing, and on other fabric-based items.
Prevention Tips For Carpet Beetles
When it comes to keeping carpet beetles out of your Houston home, it’s important to exercise some preventative measures:
- Use a caulking gun or some liquid cement to fill in holes, cracks, and openings around the exterior of your home.
- Make sure all of the screens around your home are in good condition.
- Repair damaged weather stripping and door sweeps.
- Thoroughly check used furniture, clothing, and other fabric-based items before bringing them into your home.
The Best Way To Get Carpet Beetles Out Of Your Home
Removing carpet beetles from a home is not an easy task. Fortunately, our experts at Romney Pest Control have the tools and experience to keep these pests out of your Houston home. If you are unsure whether or not your home has a carpet beetle infestation, reach out to us today. We will inspect your property, diagnose all of your pest issues, and come up with a solution for effective elimination and prevention.
Give us a call today for more information about our carpet beetle control services or to schedule a quality inspection for your Houston property.
