Can Carpet Beetles Damage Wood

Unlike other species like wood beetles that only eat wood carpet beetles will eat almost anything.

Can carpet beetles damage wood.

Clothing furniture wool sisal jute carpets leather. 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. Hatching larvae bore into the wood and can result in extensive damage. Wood flooring can be protected by sealing the surface and or treating it with borate insecticide.

They will destroy your carpets from the bottom up. They have also been found in spices and grains and could contaminate your entire pantry. Damage is caused by both larvae and adults both of which are present in the infested area. They attack any wood that is decayed and prefer it damp like the pentarthrum huttoni beetle needs 100 humidity.

Adults range from 1 to 40 mm in length. 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. Or damage to rugs or furs. Wood boring beetles can damage wood in and around a home or building.

Wood flooring can become infested with beetle larvae woodworm from eggs laid on unfinished wood surfaces. Carpet beetles are especially drawn to wool fur leather animal hair and feathers. They belong to a skin beetle family known as dermestidae. Adults live up to 16 months feeding on wood along with larvae.

If the carpet beetles are in their larvae stage they will search around in the dark looking for food. Although carpet beetles are not dangerous to humans they are definitely harmful to your belongings. If your couch or chair is upholstered they can chew the covering to pieces. 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.

This can result in holes and tunnels in wood structures outdoor decks hardwood floors furniture and support beams. 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. Carpet beetles cause the most damage during this stage while finding natural fibers to eat which can include your clothes furniture and carpet. What is noticed eventually are small holes in wool sweaters blazers blankets etc.

Even kiln dried wood can become infested. They will also create holes in clothing with animal fibers such as wool sweaters silk blouses and fur coats.