Do Carpet Beetles Eat Plants

Where do carpet beetles live.

Do carpet beetles eat plants.

If you see these beetles you will want to get rid of them as soon as possible. They can also be brought in by way of cut plants and flowers. These beetles mainly eat the leaves of the tomato plant leaving behind small and large holes. These pests enter homes through doors windows and similar entrances.

Unlike other types of insects that consume organic materials the moth for instance carpet beetle larvae eat in concentrated areas. They love to eat away the material that carpets are made out of i e. Carpet beetles congregate wherever animal fibers can be consumed. Unlike moths carpet beetles typically feed on one portion of fabric at a time.

Carpet beetles are the most dangerous type of beetle to most homeowners. These types of materials carpet beetles routinely feast on include wool felt leather silk fur and feathers. Beetles are one of those types. And almost anything else they might encounter.

Carpet beetles can actually eat any animal product that comes into its contact. They do not eat man made materials but they have been found in items that have both man made and. You may find blister beetles colorado potato beetles or flea beetles on your tomato plants. They may also feed on plant materials including books grains spices and pet foods.

The pests can also proliferate on bird nests animal carcasses and dead insects cluster flies lady beetles stink bugs wasps etc which tend to be associated with attics chimneys basements and light fixtures. Their feeding creates large isolated holes in the fabric. As the name suggests carpet beetles are important pests in wool carpets and rugs. Clothing furniture wool sisal jute carpets leather blankets pet food pet hair crumbs dead insects.

Carpet beetles don t usually eat cotton linen or other plant based or synthetic fabrics but they may eat fabric blends or fabrics stained with animal products. In addition to wool carpet beetles can feed on silk hair feathers and fur. Carpet beetles can also thrive on lint hair and debris accumulating under baseboards and inside floor vents and ducts. Adult carpet beetles can live both indoors and out but females prefer to lay eggs where larval food sources are abundant.

Obviously carpet beetles will also eat through the fabrics in your home. For example fur feathers wool silk leather and bed. As we discussed earlier fully grown carpet beetles won t do much harm. Carpet beetles are found in almost every part of the world however they are basically european based.

Larvae tend to feed in dark corners or under heavy furniture like your living room sofa for example. Unlike other species like wood beetles that only eat wood carpet beetles will eat almost anything.