Carpet beetle larvae are immature carpet beetles. The larvae are in the most important stage of the beetles' life cycle. This is because the beetles cause damage during the larva stage.
Carpet beetle larvae have a distinctive appearance. The larvae of some species are carrot-shaped – wide at the head and slender at the tail. A few species have larvae that are slender at the head and wide at the tail.
The color can range from tan to brown. Some larvae look like they are black. Some species have bands or stripes of another color on their body. The most distinctive feature on the larva's body is the hair. Carpet beetle larvae have bristly hairs on their bodies. Many people compare their appearance to bottle brushes.
In order to develop into adults, carpet beetle larvae need a substance called keratin. This is a protein that occurs in hair, feathers, and fur. Because of that, these insects are commonly found in nests of birds, rodents, and other animals. The larvae also eat dead insects, so they can often be found in the nests of wasps and bees.
If carpet beetles move inside of a home, they deposit their eggs in dark places where the larvae will be able to find food. Because the larvae can eat a variety of things, the adults can find suitable breeding sites in almost every room of the house.
In the bedroom, the larvae can eat items made of silk or wool. If there are garments that contain natural and synthetic fibers, the larvae will eat the natural fibers. They can eat synthetic fabrics if they have been stained with perspiration and have not been cleaned. The larvae can also eat furs, leather, and feathers.
In the kitchen, the larvae will squeeze into tiny openings to get inside of food packages. They will eat cereal, flour, and dry pet food. In order to complete their life cycle, many species also need a meal of keratin in addition to the other food they have eaten.
Depending on the temperature and the amount of food that is available, the beetle can finish the larva stage in just a few months or it can take more than a year. When the larva has finished growing, it moves to a quiet place. It takes about two weeks for the larva to change into an adult beetle.
Eliminating the larva's food is the critical step in solving a carpet beetle infestation. If there are infested fabrics, wash or dry clean them and store them carefully. In the kitchen, inspect the pantry and cabinets. Discard all infested food packages. Vacuum the shelves thoroughly before replacing the packages. Store food in sealed containers.