carpet beetle

Bath and North East Somerset Council Does Not provide a pest control service for the treatment of carpet beetles.

FAQ’s

1.  What do they look like?

2.  Where do they live?

3.  What do they eat?

4.  What damage do they do?

5.  How can I get rid of them?

Answers

1. The adult Carpet Beetle is approximately 2-3mm in length, oval in shape, with a speckled appearance caused by a covering of white, brown, black and pale yellow scales. The Carpet Beetle larva is approximately 4 - 5mm in length, brown in colour with white bands and covered in short hairs.

2. During the summer months, the adult beetles live outdoors, feeding on pollen and nectar. In the autumn the beetles will wander or fly into buildings in search of food and hibernation sites, there they will lay eggs on materials coming from animals. The larvae then feed on this for several months until fully grown. They then pupate (usually in the spring), and emerge as adult beetles about 10 days later.

3. The larvae require a diet high in animal proteins, and will feed on woollen carpets and clothing, animal furs, skins and leather. They are often found in birds’ nests, where they feed on feathers and droppings.

4. The larvae can cause significant damage to woollen carpets and clothing, and other household items of animal origin.

5. Infested areas should be thoroughly vacuumed, paying particular attention to cracks and crevices.

Old birds’ nests in lofts and leaves should be removed.

An insecticide suitable for the treatment of crawling insect pests should be applied to the infested area. These can be bought in hardware stores, garden centres or supermarkets. Pay particular attention to cracks and crevices, and items such as woollen carpets which may be food sources for the larvae. When using a pesticide on a fabric, a small area should be tested before a full treatment is carried out. Always follow the instructions given with the insecticide.

 

 

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