Paper and Fabric Pests are destructive to paper products, clothing and sometimes even stored goods and other household items. Without extermination these pests feed on carpet, furniture, clothing fibers such as wool, or even animal hair.

BLACK CARPET BEETLE

The carpet beetle has an oval shaped body that is black with a pattern of white and orange/red scales. The carpet beetle feeds on a wide variety of plant and animal products such as hair, horns, feathers, silk, fur, rye flour, and wheat. Like the name suggests, carpet beetles prefer feeding on carpets, clothing and other textiles. During the summer, adults are typically found outdoors feeding on flower pollen and nectar. The carpet beetle is commonly brought indoors on cut flowers.

CASEMAKING CLOTH MOTH

Adult cloth moths are about 6mm in length when their wings are folded and are brownish in color.  Three dark spots are found on their wings and will often fade as the moths age.  Larvae feeds on wool clothing, carpets, rugs, felt, taxidermy mounts, fur, hair, feathers and lint. Larvae construct a silk-like case which they occupy and carry with them.  This case is open at both ends and the larvae will feed out of either end.

FURNITURE CARPET BEETLE

Oval in shape, the furniture carpet beetle has a black body with a spotted pattern of yellow, white, and black scales. The furniture carpet beetle feeds on the same materials as the common carpet beetle, as well as skins, leather, dead insects, dried blood, dead mice, etc. Their breeding areas include abandoned wasp nests, behind baseboards, in animal trophies or rugs, and in dead animals in chimney flues.

FOREIGN GRAIN BEETLE

The foreign grain beetle has a reddish-brown, flattened body. They feed on plant and animal debris and are attracted to damp and moldy grains. They are also associated with mold found in bathrooms. Adult beetles are very strong fliers and are attracted to lights at night, entering homes through screens.  These beetles are often found in new construction and remain present until the wood is completely dried out.

 

INDIAN MEAL MOTH

The adult Indian meal moth has pale gray wings where the outer half is reddish brown. The mature larvae are dirty white and worm-like. The adult Indian meal moth does not cause damage. Larvae feed on grain, dried fruits, seeds, nuts, crackers, chocolate, candies, dog food, bird seed, etc.

 

RED FLOUR BEETLE

This beetle is reddish-brown in color and is similar in appearance to the confused flour beetle. The red flour beetle has the ability to fly but only for short distances. Feeding behavior is identical to that of the confused flour beetle.

 

SILVERFISH

The silverfish has a teardrop shaped, silvery body with 3 long bristlelike appendages on the tail end of their bodies. Silverfish tend to hide in cracks and crevices during the day and can be found in living rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms, attics, basements, and garages. They prefer moderate temperatures and high humidity. Silverfish feed on paper products, wallpaper, wallpaper paste, tissue, and proteins like dried beef or other dead or injured silverfish. Silverfish are a common problem in homes with cedar-shake shingles.

WEBBING CLOTH MOTH

Webbing cloth moths are the most common clothes moths in the United States.  Adults are 7–8mm in length.  Their wings are a pale gold color with no markings, and their head is a copper color with fluffy hairs.  Larvae will feed on wool items, fur, hair, feathers and other similar products.  Larvae spin a flat silk like webbing and will feed beneath.