My kitchen windows face west, and for the past month, these tiny bugs have been making their way through the screen and onto the window sill. I kill at least 5 per day, but they keep coming. They don't seem to be attracted to food or liquids. The photos show the top side (smaller bug) and the underneath side (larger bug). Without magnification, the bugs look completely black. They are between 1.5 and 2.5 mm. in length. Any ideas as to what they are and how I can can rid of them?
These are carpet beetles in the genus Anthrenus. They completed their development inside your house and are trying to get outside, which is why you find them at windows. Their larvae feed on a wide variety of organic materials (including woolen/silk fabrics, feathers, furs, leather, dry stored food products, etc.) and can be quite destructive. The adult beetles primarily are pollen feeders. The larvae look like this: http://independentpestconsultancy.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Carpet-Beetle-Lerva.png
There is no food, carpeting, drapery, or clothing anywhere the windows, so where do I look for the source? And when I find the source, how can I deal with (destroy) their larvae? Thanks for the identification.
If you have any carpeting that includes wool as a component, check all around the edges for signs of chewing damage and/or the larvae. Also check any garments that are made of wool or silk, or that have feathers or fur as trim/ornamentation that have been in long-term storage (hanging in closets or placed in boxes or other containers). Likewise, inspect dry stored food products (such as dry cereals, pasta, dry pet food, etc.) for the same. See http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7436.html for some control recommendations.
Thank you for the information. The influx of these pests seems to have (thankfully) ended. I never found the source, but at least they’re gone.
