How to identify and get rid of hide beetles

Hide beetles are the uninvited guests of the insect world that can turn up anywhere from your pantry to the garage. These beetles belong to the family of dermestid beetles, which are known for their knack for breaking down tough materials like leather, wool, and even carpet fibers. Hide beetles prefer areas where they can munch on animal products, and they’re not picky about cleanliness, making them a persistent problem if not tackled properly.

Hide beetles lay their eggs in dark, secluded spots where their larvae can feed undisturbed on materials high in protein, like dried meats, pet food, or even insect carcasses. As they grow, these beetles can cause significant damage to household items, making early detection and control essential.

Hide beetles are small insects that are best known for their oval body and the hairs all over their body. The adults have golden hairs on their backs and white hairs underneath. Additionally, they have clubbed antennae. The larvae have long, spiky hairs and have two short spikes on the end of their body.

In your home, you might notice damage to animal-based materials, such as holes in leather or woolen products, which are telltale signs of their presence. You might also find their larvae, which are hairy and tend to be found near their food sources. Sometimes they could be confused with the old house borer.

How big are hide beetles?

Hide beetles grow to be about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.

They are found throughout most of the US and are typically in kitchens, basements, garages, or wherever you store animal products.

Hide beetles are usually a surprise for most people, as these beetles will be hiding away in your storage areas. When you find them, it’s best to clean up the issue right away. You can get rid of them by handpicking them or vacuuming them up. Then do these preventative strategies to keep them from coming back:

• Sanitation: Regularly clean and vacuum areas where animal products are stored to remove food sources and potential breeding grounds.
• Storage: Store animal-based materials like wool, silk, or leather in airtight containers to prevent access by beetles.
• Temperature Control: Use cold or heat treatments for infested items, such as freezing small items for a week or heating them to at least 120°F for several hours.
• Remove Infested Items: Dispose of heavily infested items to prevent the spread of beetles to other areas.
• Seal up your home: Make sure to fill in any cracks or gaps around your home to prevent hide beetles from getting inside.

If you want to keep hide beetles from making their way into your home, consider using Pestie to establish an bug barrier around your property. You’ll get access to pro-grade solutions with the Pestie Smart Pest Plan that only take minutes to apply.