Many household pests can trigger asthma or other allergic responses in those with hypersensitive immune systems. Carpet beetles are among those insects.
What Are Carpet Beetles?
Carpet beetles are small (3-6 millimeters), oval or round members of the family Dermestidae. Larvae are “stored product pests” that feed on dried animal products including dry pet food, wool garments and linens, felt, furs, feathers, even accumulated shed hair and skin flakes of people and pets. Adult beetles eat mostly flower pollen.
Allergens
The irritating nature of the hairs on carpet beetle larvae is well known. Contact dermatitis can occasionally result from exposure to larvae, especially over a long period. Victims may complain of being “bitten,” with an itchy rash to show for it. More often, people develop irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract. The immune system of the allergic person produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies specific to carpet beetle allergens, causing this hypersensitivity. Recently, allergens have been identified for Black Carpet Beetles (genus Attagenus), and they can be a common component of house dust inside infested homes. There are also records of wool workers and museum personnel developing occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma from carpet beetle allergens. Elimination of infestations can reduce or eliminate symptoms.
Prevention
- Store vulnerable foodstuffs, including dry pet food, in metal, glass, or durable plastic containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Store woolens, furs, felt, and silks in a cedar chest. Cedar has proven repellent qualities and is both effective and non-toxic to people and pets.
- Vacuum regularly and thoroughly to avoid build-up of hair and skin flakes from people and pets. Carpet beetles can be sustained on even small amounts of food.
- Discard infested items, as carpet beetle eggs can be impossible to see.
- Avoid using mothballs (naphthalene), as they are ineffective; avoid moth crystals (paradichlorobenzene or “PDB”), as they may be carcinogenic.
Understand that despite all your efforts, it is next to impossible to become immune to the occasional infestation.
Content and Images Provided by Eric R. Eaton