There are many different types of beetles that create problems for homeowners. Each beetle will have unique characteristics and create different control issues.
How to Identify Most Common Beetles in the U.S.
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- Black Carpet Beetle
One of the most common and destructive carpet beetles in the U.S. Adults are dark brown or black about an 1/8 inch long. - Drugstore Beetle
A tiny, brown beetle and often found infesting herbs and spices in your home. - Golden Buprestid Beetle
Adult beetles are an iridescent golden-green color about 3/4 of an inch long. - Lyctid Beetle
Adult beetles are small, 1/8-3/8 inch long, and red, brown, or black in color. - Merchant and Saw-Toothed Beetle
Recognized by their saw-tooth projections, these beetles are small, flat, and dark brown in color.
- Black Carpet Beetle
How to Spot Beetles
Signs of Beetles:
- Visible adult beetles – Seeing small beetles crawling on floors, walls, near windows, or around lights is one of the clearest indicators.
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Presence of larvae– Ants gathering near crumbs, spills, pet food, or open containers in kitchens and pantries.
- Holes in fabric, furniture, or wood – Carpet beetles leave holes in clothing, upholstery, and fabrics.
- Dead beetles, shed skins, or musty odors – Shed wings near windowsills, vents, or baseboards.
Where Do Beetles Cause Problems?
1. Kitchen
- Pantry beetles (such as flour, grain, drugstore, and saw toothed grain beetles) infest stored foods like flour, cereal, pasta, rice, pet food, spices, and dried goods.
- Activity is often noticed inside packaging, on pantry shelves, and near cupboards.
2. Carpets, Rugs, Flooring
- Carpet beetle larvae feed on carpets, rugs, and carpet padding, especially where dust, pet hair, or food debris collect.
- Damage usually appears along edges, under furniture, or in low‑traffic areas.
3. Closets, Clothing, Stored Fabrics
- Natural‑fiber clothing (wool, silk, leather, fur) and stored linens are common targets for carpet beetles.
- Closets, wardrobes, and storage boxes provide dark, undisturbed conditions ideal for larvae.
4. Furniture & Upholstrey
- Beetles may damage upholstered furniture, cushions, and fabric-covered items, especially those made with natural materials.
- Wood‑boring beetles can also infest wooden furniture, leaving small holes and powdery residue.
5. Garages, Basements & Storage Areas
- Cardboard boxes, stored items, pet food, and exposed wood attract beetles in garages and basements.
- Moisture issues in basements can worsen infestations by creating ideal conditions.
6. Windowsills & Lighted Areas
- Adult beetles are often found near windows, doors, and light fixtures as they try to escape or are attracted by light.
- These areas often reveal an infestation that started elsewhere in the home.
How Critter Control Gets Rid of Beetles
- Inspection & Identification
We identify the species of beetles. - Beetle Treatment and Extermination
Treatment is tailored to the any species and your situation. - Exclusions & Sanitation
Long-term beetle control protection. - Repairs & Remediation
On-going treatments keep your house free from beetles.
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Though color and size vary by species, all ants have three distinct body sections: abdomen, thorax, and head. These insects have six legs and two pinchers that they use to carry food and construct nests.
Ants differ in size from less than a millimeter to a quarter inch in length. The pests are usually yellow, brown, red, or black.
Residents may find ant colonies in a variety of places in a house. Homeowners easily spot the outdoor nests of some kinds of ants by the mounds of dirt or sand at the entrance.
Ants indoors may nest in wood, under appliances, or near a food source.
Are ants known to enter homes or yards?
These small insects enter a home in many ways, often using small cracks around doors, windows, utility lines, or home foundations. They are likely to come inside a house with plenty of accessible food. Spilled drinks, crumbs, and trash attract the pests.
Do ants harm people or property?
Most ants are simply a nuisance, crawling in pantry goods and creating an unsightly spectacle as they travel across floors and sidewalks. Many species will defend themselves if harassed, but only a few ant varieties have painful bites and stings.
Some types may create property damage by burrowing in wood, nesting in electronics, or building nests in lawns.
Ants are persistent pests. There are many types of baits, traps, and pesticides on the market, so the first step to choosing a remedy is to determine the type of ant infestation. Certain species require different control methods.
Keeping a home clean, free of spills, and moisture-controlled is the easiest deterrent for these pests. For professional assistance in ant removal, contact a local, qualified pest management agent.
This type of pest control is not available in all markets. Please contact your nearest Critter Control location to see if traditional pest control service is available in your area.