Help identify this tiny hard shell bug - Ask Extension
Hello,
I keep finding these very tiny (about the side of a grain of rice) hard-shelled bug in my house. I have found it on the wall in the bedroom, ...
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Help identify this tiny hard shell bug #784663
Asked March 21, 2022, 12:58 PM EDT
Hello,
I keep finding these very tiny (about the side of a grain of rice) hard-shelled bug in my house. I have found it on the wall in the bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. I think it might be some kind of beetle but I’m not certain.
Thank you in advance!
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi,
Yes, those are beetles called a varied carpet beetles, Anthrenus verbasci. The one in your photos is an adult.
These beetles are found in homes fairly often. Adult carpet beetles are mainly found on flowers outdoors, where they feed on pollen. However, they can sometimes accidentally get into buildings, and once indoors, they can reproduce and produce hairy larvae that feed on lint, dead bugs, stored/spilled foods, and various items of animal origin, i.e. wool, leather, feathers, etc. Here is what the larvae look like...
https://bugguide.net/node/view/353267/bgimage
The number of carpet beetle adults you report could indicate that they are reproducing indoors. If this is the case, you will probably want to get them under control, so the larvae don't damage any food or household belongings.
The first step in control is sanitation. To eliminate as many beetles as possible, look for any materials infested by the larvae (food, clothing, or furnishing with damage/beetles present). If you do not need the material, you can bag it and dispose of it. If the infested items are things you want to keep and they are small enough, you can freeze the items for at least 48 hours to kill the eggs and larvae. Infested clothes can be dry cleaned to eliminate these pests. Other control measures include regular cleaning of spilled food and accumulated lint to eliminate primary breeding sites. Storing food, woolens, furs and other susceptible items in insect-proof containers will also prevent access by the larvae.
It is sometimes also useful to treat infested areas with insecticides to eliminate carpet beetles that are not seen. In nonfood areas, household formulations of various pyrethroid insecticides can be used. Many such products are commercially available and contain active ingredients such as permethrin, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, and tralomethrin. If you choose to use one of these products, as always, use it with caution and follow the label directions. Apply these products to baseboards, closet
corners, and carpet edges where beetles are most likely to be found.
If those steps are not effective enough and you are still seeing a lot of these beetles, you might have a widespread infestation. If this is the case, you may want to consult a pest control operator.
Hope that helps!
Yes, those are beetles called a varied carpet beetles, Anthrenus verbasci. The one in your photos is an adult.
These beetles are found in homes fairly often. Adult carpet beetles are mainly found on flowers outdoors, where they feed on pollen. However, they can sometimes accidentally get into buildings, and once indoors, they can reproduce and produce hairy larvae that feed on lint, dead bugs, stored/spilled foods, and various items of animal origin, i.e. wool, leather, feathers, etc. Here is what the larvae look like...
https://bugguide.net/node/view/353267/bgimage
The number of carpet beetle adults you report could indicate that they are reproducing indoors. If this is the case, you will probably want to get them under control, so the larvae don't damage any food or household belongings.
The first step in control is sanitation. To eliminate as many beetles as possible, look for any materials infested by the larvae (food, clothing, or furnishing with damage/beetles present). If you do not need the material, you can bag it and dispose of it. If the infested items are things you want to keep and they are small enough, you can freeze the items for at least 48 hours to kill the eggs and larvae. Infested clothes can be dry cleaned to eliminate these pests. Other control measures include regular cleaning of spilled food and accumulated lint to eliminate primary breeding sites. Storing food, woolens, furs and other susceptible items in insect-proof containers will also prevent access by the larvae.
It is sometimes also useful to treat infested areas with insecticides to eliminate carpet beetles that are not seen. In nonfood areas, household formulations of various pyrethroid insecticides can be used. Many such products are commercially available and contain active ingredients such as permethrin, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, and tralomethrin. If you choose to use one of these products, as always, use it with caution and follow the label directions. Apply these products to baseboards, closet
corners, and carpet edges where beetles are most likely to be found.
If those steps are not effective enough and you are still seeing a lot of these beetles, you might have a widespread infestation. If this is the case, you may want to consult a pest control operator.
Hope that helps!
