Carpet Beetle

Where it lives

Carpet edges under furniture, beneath skirting, in bird nests and roof voids, wardrobes, upholstery and accumulated fluff and hair in undisturbed corners.

Signs

• Small hairy golden-brown larvae in carpet edges and drawers
• Shed larval skins in undisturbed corners and inside wardrobes
• Sharp-edged holes in wool carpet, often along the edge under furniture
• Small mottled beetles on window sills in spring

Risks

• Destroys wool carpets, rugs, upholstery and clothing
• Larval hairs can cause a skin rash in sensitive people
• Damage is often extensive before it is noticed

Prevention

• Vacuum carpet edges, under furniture and inside wardrobes thoroughly
• Remove old bird nests from eaves and roof voids and mesh the access
• Store natural fibre textiles clean and sealed

Treatment

We apply a residual insecticide and growth regulator to carpet edges, skirting voids, under furniture and inside storage, remove and treat any bird nest reservoir in the roof, and re-inspect after two weeks. Removing the source nest is usually the decisive step.