What’s Buggin’ you?
BOXELDER AND CARPET BEETLES -
“The lowest kind of vermin and the one I most abhor, is the bug that ate my wife’s mink when it was only half paid for” – A.M.
Although it is said that there are over 2200 known species of beetles in North America – two of the most annoying to man are the boxelder beetle and the carpet beetle.
Beetles can be special pests of hides, meat and similar animal products. These beetles are often referred to as skin beetles, larder beetles, tallow beetles, and dermestids. Where the carcass of a dead animal is encountered, beetles will commonly be found feeding on the remains. Because of this, some species of beetles consider taxidermic specimens in the museum, or a cured hide in the warehouse, as fair prey. Museum caretakers and taxidermists beware, these beetles could be a regular trouble. On the good side, when used properly, these scavengers can be of value to the museum preparators for removing the flesh from skeletons, a delicate job for which they have no peer.
Beetles are also the common pests of woolens, rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture and materials of a like nature. In the case of the carpet beetle, the adults feed largely on pollen and nectar, frequenting flowers like the crepe myrtle. When in bloom, the crepe myrtle can be host to great numbers of carpet beetles, of which even the larvae are responsible for damage to commodities. Care should be taken not to bring these insects into the house or building on cut flowers. Onset of cool weather may drive the insects indoors. Nests of birds, rodents, insects, and spiders harbor large numbers of beetles whether inside or out. However, indoor nests are more apt to be heavily infested than those in the open as the protected environment provides drier conditions and favors survival of the insects. In some areas, carpet beetles are responsible for more injury to carpets, rugs and other woolens than even the clothes moth!
Keeping the health of the occupants of your home or structure as the first priority, we offer several different approved pest control techniques for the treatment of Beetles. These methods may include handspraying, dusting, fogging, baiting and the use of residual crack and crevice aerosol products among other treatments. Because each occurrence is different, treatments will be employed as applicable in specific situations.
Beetles are an unwelcome sight and can be unnerving, disrupting your peaceful home or building. It is for this reason that we suggest a recurring service plan for residential or commercial properties. This will maintain a healthy barrier around your structure should beetles come crawling.
