Carpet beetles are a common home-invading pest. Their larvae feed on carpet, rugs, and other items in homes. While these pests are most active when it’s warm outside, they can cause problems year-round. To prevent an infestation, it’s important to know what attracts these beetles and how they make their way indoors. Check out a few things that can cause carpet beetles to invade your home.
What Attracts Carpet Beetles?
Carpet beetles may be attracted to your home for several reasons. Identifying these attractants will make it easier to keep these pests from bugging you.
1. Food Sources
Carpet beetles will hang around your home if they can find food sources. The larvae feed on natural fibers found in rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture, clothes, and linen. They are known to feed on wool, silk, and leather items. The larvae will also eat hair, pet fur, and lint. Pantry items, such as grains and dried food, can also be a good food source. Adult carpet beetles feed on the nectar from plants, so if you have houseplants, there’s a chance they can attract these pests too.
2. Light
Adult carpets beetles are also attracted to light sources. Because carpet beetles are drawn to sunlight, you will often spot them hanging out near doors and windows. Artificial lights can also attract these pests, so indoors you may spot them near lamps and light fixtures. Exterior lights can lure carpet beetles to your home as well. Warmer-hued lights are less attractive to pests than cool, white lights, so swapping out your light bulbs can help to deter bugs.
3. Warmth
Carpet beetles are most active during spring and summer when it’s warm. When things begin to cool down in fall, these pests will sometimes seek out shelter and warmth. Homes provide them with a warm place to spend the winter months. If infestations have already been established in your home, the larvae will remain active and continue to feed.
4. Shelter
Your home can provide carpet beetles with sources of shelter. Larvae do best in dark, undisturbed areas. Closets, attics, and basements can be a good hiding place, especially if they are not used regularly. Outdoors, carpet beetles will lay eggs in the nests of birds and insects like wasps. If a nest has unknowingly been constructed in your home, there’s a chance carpet beetles could be using it for shelter.
How Carpet Beetles Get in Your Home
If you know how carpet beetles enter homes, you can take steps to prevent their entry. Check out how these pests can sneak into your house.
1. They Found an Entry Point
One of the best ways to avoid a pest infestation is to make sure they can’t find a way inside. Carpet beetles can fly into homes through open doors and windows. They may also find cracks or gaps on the exterior of your house that allow them entry. These pests can squeeze inside through cracks in your home’s foundation or in window and door frames. Carpet beetles can also enter homes if there is damage to siding. Gaps around utility lines, cables, or wires also provide an entry point.
2. They Were Carried Inside
Carpet beetles may make their way indoors on different items that you carry into your home. Because adult carpet beetles feed on the nectar from flowers and plants, they are likely to be spotted on them. Before bringing in cut flowers or potted plants, you’ll want to check to make sure there aren’t any carpet beetles hiding on them. These bugs can also be found on infested pieces of furniture or clothes. Before bringing any items inside, carefully examine them for these pests.
Carpet beetles don’t make the best roommates, so you’ll want to take steps to keep them out of your space. Making your home less attractive to these pests and preventing their entry can help you to avoid an infestation. If you’re dealing with carpet beetles, we have your back! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution when used as directed.