Pest Control: Carpet Beetles

Suspect you have Carpet Beetles?

Carpet Beetles or bed bugs, its probably best to call a professional. Carpet beetle traps only work on full grown carpet beetles, if the larvae is found then you may need our carpet beetle removal services.

The carpet beetle larvae prefers dark undisturbed areas and feeds on natural fibres found in homes and businesses such as carpets, silk, wool, animal hair, fur and even synthetic fibres that have been soiled by food or perspiration. A common place to find them is in loft spaces and voids.

What You Need to Know About Carpet Beetles

How You Got Them. Variegated Carpet Beetle can be introduced to a building due to their like of fresh cut flowers, birds nesting in the roof, or even an old wasp nest. It could be as simple as the fact you had your window open.

Larvae. Variegated Carpet Beetle Larvae are also known as woolly bears due to the fine brown hairs on their body. They are about 4mm in length.

How do I know I have Carpet Beetle?

The first thing you need to know, is what the beetle and the larvae look like. This is so you know what to look for. As you can see from the pictures displayed the beetle has light blue and brown colouring on it. the beetle is approximately 2 to 3mm in length. The larvae, also known as woolly bears are also 2 to 3mm in length. They are different shades of brown and cream. they have hairs on them hence the name woolly bear.

So now you know what you are looking for, now it is knowing where to look. Carpet beetle larvae are what we call a textile pest meaning they eat natural fibber’s. The most common natural fibre in the house is a wool carpet. Move furniture and check the carpet under the furniture to identify if you have any larvae. They will be head down in the pile of the carpet in general. You may also see a number of dead carpet beetles on the window ledge this is because the carpet beetles will head for natural light.

How to get rid of Carpet Beetle?

The key to getting rid of this textile pest is to find the source. Regular cleaning and hovering can reduce carpet beetle numbers. However a professional grade treatment and targeted treatment areas is the sure way to rid your home or business of this pest. When hoovering ensure to empty the hoover bag outside so you do not spread the problem to other areas .

What causes a carpet beetle infestation.

The beetles live on pollen and nectar. They are what we call an occasional intruder in as much as they fly in through open windows and doors. Once in the house they lay eggs which then hatch. The life cycle of the carpet beetle is eggs, larvae, pupa and then adult beetle. Other places to check would be the loft space as it has been known that birds nests are another common place to find larvae.

As mentioned, the success of a treatment can rely on finding the source of the problem. A good example of this was an old dormant wasp nest in a roof void of an extension. The woolly bears were living off the wood pulp of the wasp nest. They were being found in the utility room below and the bathroom next to the roof void. When the wasp nest was removed there were hundreds of woolly bears inside.

If you suspect you may have an infestation then you should try the tips above but if unsuccessful then you may need our carpet beetle removal services and you can contact us for a free no obligation quote.

Suspect you have Carpet Beetles?

Call in PEST-TECH