Carpet Beetle Removal

How Do You Know You Have Carpet Beetles?

 
The first thing you need to know is what the beetle and the larvae look like. While adult beetles live for a few weeks, their larvae can live for many months. As you can see from the pictures, the beetles are small, oval-shaped insects that are typically black with white, yellow, and brown scales or markings on their wings. 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 and are covered in bristly hairs, hence the name woolly bears.
 
So now you know what you are looking for, you need to know where to look. Adult carpet beetles feed on a wide range of materials, including wool, silk, fur, feathers, and dried plant materials, which are often found in homes. They can also feed on synthetic fibres that are blended with natural fibres often found in mixed carpets. While natural fabrics are commonly affected items, carpet beetles can feed on stored food products such as cereals and nuts. Their young also eat the same foods, mainly fabric products and animal-based items such as leather, silk or fur.
 
Carpet beetles can be notoriously difficult to detect because they are small and can easily hide in crevices and other hard-to-reach areas. To find them, you should move furniture and check the carpet under 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 because the carpet beetles will head for natural light.
 
Once you know that you have infested items in your home and that the pests are carpet beetles, you need to act quickly. While there are DIY insecticidal product options to remove carpet beetles, a full-service option from an experienced pest control team can be a better option. Our team offer fast solutions that have residual action to ensure that carpet beetles and their larvae are completely eradicated.
 
Call 01622 296055 to book a professional pest control treatment to get rid of carpet beetles from your home or business in Kent.
 

What Is The Carpet Beetle Life Cycle?

 
The carpet beetle’s life cycle begins as eggs, then evolves into larvae, pupa, and finally, the adult beetle. Adult beetles only live a short time, for around 2 to 6 weeks, but the larvae pupate and grow for between 7 and 10 months.
 
Carpet beetles eat almost constantly, particularly the larvae, so the adult beetles will seek out somewhere with a plentiful food source. That usually means a property, such as your home.
 
Once in the house, they lay eggs, which then hatch. This is the start of a possible carpet beetle infestation, but you will not know this is going on until it is too late.
 
When you do find carpet beetles on your property, you need the help of a professional carpet beetle exterminator like Pest-Tech. We operate throughout Maidstone, Kent and the surrounding area, offering professional services that will remove the infestation and help get rid of carpet beetles permanently.
 

What Causes Carpet Beetles To Infest Your Home?

 
Carpet beetles are attracted to a variety of materials that are commonly found in homes. Carpet beetles are particularly attracted to natural fibres such as wool, silk, fur, leather, feathers, and hair. These materials are commonly found in carpets, upholstery, clothing, and other household textiles. The beetles can also be attracted to food sources, such as grains, cereals, and pet food, which can provide a source of nutrition for their larvae. They find dust and debris very appealing as they can provide them with a place to hide and lay eggs. This is why carpet beetles are often found in areas of the home that are not frequently cleaned, such as lofts, skirting board junctions, and storage areas.
 
Some species of carpet beetles are attracted to plants, particularly those with flowers or pollen, and may enter the home through an open window or door in search of food or shelter. They are what we call an occasional intruder, so they might fly in and out without an issue, then suddenly settle down if they find a good food source, such as upholstered furniture or natural carpeting.
 
When it comes to removing carpet beetles, the success of treatment can rely on finding the source of the problem. An important area to check is your loft, as it has been known that bird nests are a common place to find larvae. Another example was an old dormant wasp nest in a roof void of an extension. The carpet beetle larvae were living off the wood pulp of the wasp nest. They were found in the utility room below and the bathroom next to the roof void. When the wasp nest was removed, there were hundreds of carpet beetle larvae inside.
 
To prevent carpet beetle infestations, it’s important to keep the home clean and free of dust and debris and to store clothing and other textiles in airtight containers. If, however, you suspect you may have an infestation, then you could try the tips mentioned above, but a successful targeted treatment by a professional may save you a lot of time and effort. Our team can identify egg-laying sites and treat affected surfaces to ensure that your home is free from these irritating pests. Our carpet beetle treatment services will stop the stress of dealing with this pest infestation, so contact us for a free, no-obligation quote today.
 

How To Get Rid Of Carpet Beetles

 
The key to removing these pesky bugs is to find the source. Regular cleaning and hovering of carpets, rugs and upholstery can prevent and reduce carpet beetle numbers.
 
By storing clothing and other textiles in airtight containers, you can prevent outbreaks and protect your clothes. When hoovering to remove carpet beetles and their eggs, ensure that you empty the hoover bag outside so you do not spread the problem to other areas of your property.
 
If you do find you have a major carpet beetle infestation, then a professional-grade treatment in targeted treatment areas is the most effective way to rid your home or business of this pest. Pest-Tech offers fast treatment to eliminate carpet beetles from homes and businesses throughout Maidstone and Kent. Call 01622 296055 to book a visit from a professional pest control technician and remove carpet beetles for good.