Are Carpet Beetles Harmful?
The short answer is, yes, carpet beetles can be harmful. But to protect your home and your family from these invading pests, it is important to look at the more detailed answer. Here's what you need to know about carpet beetles.
How Do Carpet Beetles Harm People?
Carpet beetles don’t bite, but their larvae can cause itchy, bumpy rashes when their tiny hair fibers come into contact with skin. These fibers can also become airborne, leading to eye irritation and respiratory issues. However, most people only develop sensitivity after years of exposure.
How Do People Come in Contact with Carpet Beetle Larvae?
People come into contact with carpet beetle larvae when they infest carpets, blankets, furniture, and clothing made of natural fibers like wool or silk. These pests enter homes by flying in and often hide inside walls, feeding on dead insects or debris. Once they move into living spaces and lay eggs, the larvae spread, and their tiny hair fibers can get onto skin or into the air, causing irritation
Do They Cause Any Other Harm?
Yes. These pests are widely considered to be pantry pests. Since the adults are able to fly, they have an amazing ability to get into places, like your pantry. Once there, they will lay their eggs in places that will allow their larvae to have easy access to a food source. These larvae get into animal food, milled products, seeds, and more.
How Do I Protect Myself From Carpet Beetles?
If you have not yet found them in your pantry, it is a good idea to store your food products in hard plastic sealable containers, especially if you've seen these beetles crawling around your home. This will prevent adult beetles from laying their eggs in these products.
It is not easy to protect yourself from exposure to carpet beetles without help from a professional pest controller. Carpet beetles can live and breed in places you just can't always get to. And, if these pests continue to get into your home year after year, they are going to cause damage to your belongings and eventually create health issues for you and your family. A professional pest plan will keep these, and a host of other pests, out as well. Get your home sealed up and keep these bugs out with a call to Witt. You'll be glad you did.
