Carpet Beetles and Their Control

The bulletin explains identification and biology of common household carpet beetles, detailing adult and larval forms, life-cycle stages, seasonal habits, and typical feeding damage to woolens, furs, feathers, and dried animal material. It compares major pest species and notes where different larval forms are prevalent, their tendency to hide beneath tacked carpets or in garment folds, and the usually limited number of annual generations. Practical control methods are reviewed, including use of naphthalene, paradichlorobenzene, camphor, red-cedar chests, cold storage, heat, and targeted fumigation, with cautions that fumigants require knowledgeable handling and alternatives for localized infestations are described.