Control Beetles in Vancouver, Surrey and Lower Mainland
Carpet Beetles
Description
Varied carpet beetles get their name from the rainbow of color on their back surfaces.
Facts
Color: Black centers, with white, brown and yellow patches in an irregular arrangement
Legs: Six
Shape: Round
Size: 1/16 inches
Antennae: Yes
Flying: Yes
These pests enjoy dining on carpets, woolen fabrics, dead insects, furs, hides, feathers, horns, hair, silk and bones. It can take 249-354 days to three years for varied carpet beetles to grow from an egg to an adult.
Habitat
Varied carpet beetles are found in homes in attics, Oriental carpets, tapestries and wood-based wall-to-wall carpeting.
Threats
Varied carpet beetles feed on dead insects, but also feed on upholstery and carpet, so they can damage those materials. They can also damage clothing fabric.
carpet beetle Prevention
As with moths, to avoid varied carpet beetle infestations, store clothing in plastic containers. Dry clean clothing thoroughly before storing for long periods of time.
Powderpost Beetles
Description
Powderpost beetles lay their eggs in cracks of wood and the larvae tunnel into the surface, filling it with a very fine powder-like dust. Powderpost beetles have long, narrow, flat bodies that allow them to easily attack wood surfaces. These beetles are reddish-brown in color.
Facts
Color: Reddish brown to black
Legs: Six
Shape: Narrow oval
Size: 1/8 to 1/4 inches
Antennae: Yes
Flying: Yes
There are several hundred species of powderpost beetles, but fewer than 20 are widespread.
Powderpost beetlesAre small, between one-tenth and one-third inch in length and usually are reddish brown in color.
Can emerge from wood used in construction from one to 10 years after a structure has been built.
Powderpost beetles usually emerge in the spring.
Are most likely to be found in softwoods (pine, spruce, fir) or certain hardwoods (oak, maple) frequently used for construction, including wood used in log homes, conventional homes and furniture.
Are attracted to lights or to windows.
Live between one and two years.
Burrow small, one-eighth inch round holes in wood, and larvae create channels where they have chewed their way through. There is usually a fine sawdust-like powder streaming from exit holes.
Habits
Adult powderpost beetles are very active at night, enjoy flying and are attracted to the light.
Habitat
Powderpost beetles often attack hardwoods, and can be found in hardwood floors, timbers and crates, antiques and other objects made of hardwood materials.
Threats
Some researchers believe that powderpost beetles are second only to termites in the United States in their destructiveness to wood and wood products.
powderpost beetle Prevention
Powderpost beetles can be prevented through vigilant inspection of wood sources in the home.
Contact us today and out beetle exterminator will help with a beetle infestation in your Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey or Burnaby, BC home or business.
