Can Carpet Beetles Damage Wood

If the carpet beetles are in their larvae stage they will search around in the dark looking for food.

Can carpet beetles damage wood. They will also create holes in clothing with animal fibers such as wool sweaters silk blouses and fur coats. Although powderpost beetles are sometimes lumped into a group of bugs that look like termites but aren t because of the damage they do to wood these insects are actually quite distinct as you can see in the image above. Carpet beetle larvae the stage that does the damage remain hidden away in or under the material that they are feeding on and are usually not noticed either without a full inspection see meet the carpet beetles. Although carpet beetles are not dangerous to humans they are definitely harmful to your belongings.

Hatching larvae bore into the wood and can result in extensive damage. Wood boring beetles can damage wood in and around a home or building. Carpet beetles cause the most damage during this stage while finding natural fibers to eat which can include your clothes furniture and carpet. If your couch or chair is upholstered they can chew the covering to pieces.

Carpet beetles are especially drawn to wool fur leather animal hair and feathers. The holes are created when the adult beetle emerges from its underground womb and they can also cause a lot of damage from within the flooring too. Even kiln dried wood can become infested. What is noticed eventually are small holes in wool sweaters blazers blankets etc.

Damage is caused by both larvae and adults both of which are present in the infested area. Carpenter ants this is more for homeowners with rustic wood flooring but carpenter ants can cause damage if the wood flooring is old has seen water damage before or has previously been attacked by pests. Or damage to rugs or furs. Carpet beetles are the most dangerous type of beetle to most homeowners.

Clothing furniture wool sisal jute carpets leather. Wood flooring can be protected by sealing the surface and or treating it with borate insecticide. They belong to a skin beetle family known as dermestidae. They attack any wood that is decayed and prefer it damp like the pentarthrum huttoni beetle needs 100 humidity.

The adult beetles lay their eggs in cracks and holes in the wood and the larvae or woodworms eat their way out of the wood over several years. Carpet beetles are a common pest that can be found in most residential homes. Unlike other species like wood beetles that only eat wood carpet beetles will eat almost anything. This can result in holes and tunnels in wood structures outdoor decks hardwood floors furniture and support beams.

Adults live up to 16 months feeding on wood along with larvae. They have also been found in spices and grains and could contaminate your entire pantry.