Western Exterminators - Pest Control Services California, Arizona, Nevada

Fabric Pests: Booklice (Psocids) | Carpet Beetle | Silverfish, Bristletail

	Common name:	Latin name:	Class:	Order:	Family:
	Carpet Beetle	Anthrenus scrophulariae (Linnaeus)	Insecta	Coleoptera	Coleoptera

	Size:
	Adults are about 1/16-1/8 inch (2-3.8 mm) long; larvae are up to 1/4 inch (3-5 mm) long.
	Characteristics:
	Adult is oval in shape, with head more or less hidden from above; compound eyes are notched around inner margin; antenna are short, with compact 3-segmented club (1 segment distinctly shorter than the other 2); underside of abdomen has black patches of scales on each side. Larva is stout, widest at its middle with long tuft of hair at the posterior. Larva undulates as it crawls.
	Color:
	Adult is black; wing covers have an orange/red stripe down the middle, and variable pattern of whitish and orange/red oval scales. Larva is reddish brown with black or brown hairs.
	Where Found:
	Found around the world, but especially in the northern U.S.
	Comparison:
	Varied Carpet Beetle and Furniture Carpet Beetle lack orange/red stripe down middle of wing covers. Latter species has golden patches of scales on each side of abdomen. Others have less compact antenna club with more than 3 segments, and flattened but not scale-like hairs on top surface.
	Habitat:
	Indoors: wall voids where other insects have lived, old rodent bait in attics and crawl spaces, wasp or hornet nests, places where dead insects and spiders have accumulated. Outdoors (May through July): flowers where they feed on pollen and nectar, and mate; bird, chipmunk and insect nests; and dead animals such as birds.
	Food:
	Larva consume and damage wool, hair, bristles, horn, feathers, silk, furs, insect collections; dried plants, rye flour, wheat; carpet, clothing, and fabrics. Adults eat pollen and nectar.
	Biology:
	Female lays 30-60 eggs indoors on or in food material for larvae, usually in May or June. Eggs hatch in 10-20 days. Larvae mature in 6 instars (stages) in about 60-80 days. Pupation takes place in last larval skin, lasting 1-2 weeks. Adult stays quiet in old larval skin for about 18 days, then is active for a few days' to one month's time. Outdoors 25% over winter as larvae, 75% as adults in the old larval skins. In heated buildings adults may remain active through winter and the following spring. Development from egg to adult at room temperature is 77-110 days, but up to 2 years.
	Damage:
	Damage carpets, fur, insect collections. Larval hairs have caused pulmonary irritation due to inhalation.
	Invasion:
	Adults fly during the day, and may come indoors on flowers.
	Control:
	This insect infests natural fiber items as well as pantry goods. Thorough inspection is necessary to insure all appropriate areas are treated. Preparations will necessary to achieve long-term control. Areas where the following items are stored or collect should be inspected and treated: pantry goods and possible old cereal products, old pet food, fur coats, mounted animal specimens, natural fiber furniture or carpets, areas under dryer that collect lint and areas under furniture or along walls that collect pet hair. Before treatment is made, these areas should be vacuumed or cleaned. Clean-up any collection of spilled pet food or old rodent bait used in attic or sub-areas. Use of residual liquid pesticides and dusts are recommended. Due to the thoroughness required during the treatment process, you may want to use a professional exterminator. Continued monitoring and possible additional treatments may be necessary. Contacting the insects with the material is essential to control. When using any pesticide, be sure it is registered for the target pest/location. Read the entire label prior to use. Follow all label directions, restrictions, and precautions.