THE VARIED CARPET BEETLEPresented by Tim O’Neill

August 21, 2012

Description

• The larvae are 3/16” - 1/4” inch long and wider at the end of the body than at the end of the head.

• Adult varied carpet beetles = 1/16” - 1/8” long

• It’s wing covers meet at the rear end of the body in a smooth rounded fashion with no apparent cleft.

• The back of these insects are spotted with gray-yellow,brown,and white scales which form two bands across the top.

• The underside of the body is gray to yellow.

Biology

• Females lay about 40 eggs in a lifetime; eggs hatch in 10 to 20 days.

• Larvae develop in 222-323 days and remain as a pupae for 10 - 13 days.

• One generation per year.

• Adult beetles live 14 - 44 days.

• Complete metamorphosis

Habits

• The larvae feed on a wide variety of foods, including carpets, woolens, skins, furs, stuffed animals, leather bindings on books, feathers, silk, and plant products, (corn, and red pepper).

• The favorite larval food, however, is dried insects or spiders, and, these insects are terrible pests in dried insect collections.

• Adults feed on pollen, are good fliers, and enter homes through open windows.

Control• The initial step in carpet beetle control is the

correct identification of the pest, followed by a thorough inspection by a Pest Management Professional. The PMP will identify and eliminate the sources of the infestation.

• The customer should be questioned about past pest problems, birds, flies and other insects, rodents, etc. and the sites of these infestations closely examined.

• All products containing natural materials should be examined, paying particular attention to stored clothing, carpets, and food products

• Sanitation, including removal and/or treatment of infested material, is the first step in remediating the problem.

Application • The exterior of the structure should be inspected

for plants that attract the adult beetles and should be removed or treated with an appropriately labeled product.

• During warmer months, perimeter foundation treatment with a wettable powder or micro encapsulated formulation reduces the number of beetles entering the structure

• Application of a residual insecticide to cracks and crevices and immediate area around an infestation site with an appropriately labeled product might be necessary

• In cases where the infestation is associated with a wall void or other inaccessible space, a dust formulation which provides better residual activity should be used.

Q&A

• Adult varied carpet beetles are: A)1/16”-1/2” B)1/16”-1/2” C)1/16”-3/4”

• Larvae are: A)3/16”-1/4” B)1/16”-1/8” C)1/16”-1/2”

• Varied carpet beetles have: Complete or incomplete metamorphous

• The favorite food of larvae: A)carpets B)leather shoes C)dried insects and spiders

• In her lifetime, the female varied carpet beetle lays: A)20eggs B)30eggs C)40eggs

• The initial step in carpet beetle control is: A)Removing all clothes from closets B)clean carpets C)correctly identifying the pest

• The exterior of a home with a varied carpet beetle infestation should be treated with: A) Masterline B) Termidor SC C) Cykick CS

• Dust applications should be applied to what area of an infested home: A)fish tank pumps B)inside dryers C)wall voids

• “Can’t buy me love” was a top single by what music group? A) The Scorpions, B) The Beatles, C) The Varied Carpet Beatles