They can also sometimes cause an allergic reaction.
Carpet beetle wool.
Carpet beetles can be an annoyance in your home.
Most carpet beetle damage results from larvae eating holes into natural fiber items like wool silk feathers dead insects and leather.
They like to devour natural fibers such as cotton wool fur and leather.
The larvae of the carpet beetle will eat wool carpet and wool rugs can eat lots of it and will permanently damage the carpet.
They may eat through your clothes rugs and furniture.
Carpet beetle larva feeding on a wool sports jacket.
Carpet beetle larvae are responsible for the nipped treads and tiny holes we find in wool sweaters coats and pants.
These immature pests also have bristly hairs that can irritate skin.
Here s what you need to know.
Concealed areas e g cuffs collars fabric folds are often preferred.
Plant based materials cereal pet food bird seed etc stored in kitchens and basements or cached by rodents are other possible sources of carpet beetles.
Preventing carpet beetle damage to clothing begins with dry cleaning or laundering before storing it for the summer.
Often their cast skins can be found on the clothing or closet shelves.
Varied carpet beetles are the smallest type of carpet beetle and have a slightly rounded shell.