CARPET BEETLES

Like clothes moths, carpet beetles have a marked preference for materials of animal origin, but they will attack a wider range of materials than clothes moths. Carpet beetle larvae may feed on or in wool, fur, hair, silk, clothes, fabrics, carpets, rugs, underfelts, felts, fibre-type insulation, dried insect specimens, animal carcasses, bee and wasp nests and stored foods including dried meats, seeds, grains and cereals. The presence of flying or crawling adult carpet beetles may indicate the presence of an infestation. Sighting of damaged materials, sand-like larval droppings, bristly cast skins and perhaps live larvae will confirm activity.

Control of carpet beetles

Where an infestation of carpet beetles requires treatment, it is important that a thorough and extensive inspection be carried out in the premises. If treatment is directed merely towards localised and obvious feeding areas, less obvious feeding areas may continue to supply adults to the rest of the premises after treatment.

Non chemical control

Hygiene plays an important role in the prevention of fabric pests. The vacuuming or cleaning of carpets, rugs, upholstery should be thorough and frequent. Attention to carpet edges and down behind seat cushions, such areas are often neglected, and with the build up of dust and skin scales, they are often sites of infestation.  When clothes are to be stored for some time , they should be thoroughly cleaned and dried then wrapped up tightly in plastic before storage. Clothes should never be stored in a soiled state for any length of time.

When Best 1 is hired to rid your home of carpet beetles, we first do any inspection of each room. This will give us a good idea as to how much damage has been caused and what treatment we should do.

There are two main treatments for carpet beetles that we have found to work very well. The first is to apply a liquid insecticide down around the edges of the carpet. This is the most common place to find carpet beetles (Anthrenocerus australis).

The second treatment is to apply a permethrin dust underneath the carpet and underlay. This is done with a specially design nozzle that attaches to an electric blower.

Best 1 Cleaning & Pest Control also gives a full warranty on our services. This gives our customers piece of mind, knowing they have hired a professional pest controller to get rid of carpet beetles from their home.