How to control a carpet beetle infestation

24/01/2021 0 0

Let me introduce you to the carpet beetle

How to control a carpet beetle infestation. Now is not the time to start quoting song lyrics. You’re spared. However, on the other hand, I do have a short anecdote for you.

Many years ago, I worked as an administrator in an an office. Peter, my manager, was based in a different part of the city. I met Peter in person for the first time at a training course. To my surprise, as we entered the building, autograph hunters surrounded him. It turned out that Pete had been the first drummer in The Beatles.

The Beatles are immensely popular but carpet beetles are not..

How to identify carpet beetles. What do carpet beetles look like?

There are three species of carpet beetle that are prevalent in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, each type has slightly different characteristics:

Variegated Carpet Beetles (Anthrenus verbasci) are oval in shape and they have strongly convex bodies. They are between 1.5 and 4 mm in length. The thorax and cases of the wings consist of white, yellow, brown and black scales. The coloured scales form irregular patches or ‘w’ shaped patterns.
Furniture Carpet Beetles (Anthrenus flavipes) live in the fabric upholstery of furniture. This beetle reaches 5mm in size. They are light brown in colour and speckled with black and white markings.
Black Carpet Beetles (Attagenus unicolor) are the largest member of this carpet beetle family. Their shells of the Black Carpet Beetle are a solid brown/ shiny black in colour. The black carpet beetle is less rounded in shape.

It’s time for a short science lesson

The life cycle of the carpet beetle follows the normal pattern of egg-larvae-pupae-adult. The female carpet beetle lays up to 100 eggs. Eggs hatch within a period of 10 days to 1-month.

The beetle food supply consists of woollen carpets, clothing, furs and museum specimens.

Beetle larvae have a banded appearance. They are up to 5 mm in length. The larvae take several months to develop. It has a ‘hairy’ appearance, which, consequently, gives the carpet beetle larvae its common name of the ‘woolly bear’. The larvae enjoys warmth therefore it will pupate in springtime. The beetle development within the pupa takes approximately 10 days.

Where do carpet beetles live? What causes a carpet beetle infestation

In the summer, the adult carpet beetles fly around gardens. They like to feed on pollen and nectar. In addition, the larvae like the high protein diet found naturally in dried birds’ nests. So, how do carpet beetles enter your home?

Carpet beetles are small, consequently, they enter a house through small gaps. For instance, open windows, air vents, chimneys or electrical conduits.

2. Beetles attach themselves to house flowers or plants. Therefore, infestation will occur when bringing flowers and plants into your home.

3. In addition, carpet beetles, will attach themselves to your clothing or to your pet.

Carpet beetles enjoy wandering around your home. As a result, they are very difficult for you to control.

What damage will be caused by a carpet beetle infestation?

Carpet beetles are a major pest. Fabrics are the prime target of the beetle. Carpet beetles, furthermore, are becoming increasingly successful.

Modern central heating systems have created warm indoor environments. Beetles enjoy stable temperatures and the prevalence of wall-to-wall carpeting. As a result, because the beetles are very secure, their breeding is very successful.

The larval form of the carpet beetle can cause considerable damage to products that contain keratin. Keratin is a fibrous structural protein.This material is commonly found in wool, furs, leather, silk and preserved animal remains. In addition, keratin is found in dried food products..

Carpet beetle species tend to have similar diets. Variegated and Furniture carpet beetles devour wool, leather and other natural fibres. Conversely, the Black Carpet Beetle may eat dried foods, pet food and cereals.

In conclusion, it is important that you do not confuse beetle damage with moth damage. Moth damage is known to affect a larger area in the home, in contrast , beetle damage affects a much smaller area.

How to recognise a carpet beetle infestation?

There are several signs of a beetle infestation, for instance:

1. black or brown fecal pellets.

2. shed skins of larvae.

3. damage to:

the edges of carpets or rugs.
paperwork, books and photographs.
leather furniture.
animal products (fur and feathers).