Carpet Beetles

Carpet Beetles

PROTECT YOUR WARDROBE WITH AN EFFECTIVE, TARGETED TREATMENT

The carpet beetle is your wardrobe’s worst enemy. These nasty bugs have an appetite for natural fibres and can damage fabrics, furnishings (carpets, rugs, curtains, lounges) and clothing that contain cotton, wool, silk, fur and feathers.  Synthetic items are resistant to attack, but blends of synthetic and natural fibres can be damaged. They are also known to devour chocolate and cocoa beans. Most damage is done by the larval stage of the beetle, while adults feed on flowers and shrubs.

Their natural habitats are the nests of birds, rodents, insects, and spiders. Adult beetles are pollen feeders and can be found in large numbers in flowers. They can be inadvertently brought into the house in cut flowers and laundry, and are capable of flight.

The adult beetle is a rounded insect about 4mm long, dark grey with distinct wavy white bands across the body.  Indoors, adults are attracted to light and are often found on window sills. The larvae are roughly 4–5mm in length, elongate and covered in hairs, with dense stiff bristles extending from the rear.

The larvae avoid light and actively feed in dark places like ceiling voids, crevices and folds, and can be found in wardrobes or within upholstered furniture. The larvae develop through a series of moults and as they shed their skins the empty, hairy skin castings can be seen as a sign of infestation.

Carpet beetles include moths and many beetle species that feed on the natural protein ‘Keratin’. This can be found in any textile of animal origin including wool, mohair, silk, animal hair, leather and feathers.

It is only when these insects become established in your property, and are left untreated, that they cause serious harm, such as:

       Damage to items of historic value or significance.

       Damage to clothing, carpets, upholstered furniture.

       Contamination of foodstuffs and fabric–based goods.

Call Frontline Pest Management today on 3293 4475 if you are worried about carpet beetles.

Signs of carpet beetles

Carpet beetles leave various signs of their presence, including eggs, larvae, skins, droppings. See how to identify these common signs of an infestation.

Treating carpet beetles

Hygiene plays a vital role in both the prevention and treatment of textile pests. At Frontline Pest Management, we have access to effective control methods, which can provide quick and efficient control of a carpet beetle infestation in your home or business.

Our services guarantee a safe and reliable solution and includes a combination of:

       Traditional chemical treatments – including surface and space sprays to deeply penetrate infested fabric items.

       Non-chemical treatments – includes thorough vacuuming, washing and correct storage advice to protect items in long-term storage.

Frontline Pest Management’s carpet beetle pest control services.

For almost 20 years, we have been providing efficient and reliable pest control solutions for both homes and businesses.

Experts in pest control – we are trained on the best technologies and processes for treating carpet beetles.

Targeted , customizable solutions – we have access to traditional chemical (insecticidal) solutions which can be targeted to offer the highest level of treatment best suited to your unique problem.

Call us today on 3293 4475 to arrange an inspection of your property and identify the need for professional treatment.

Signs of a carpet beetle infestation

Evidence of a carpet beetle infestation may commonly be found in carpets and other stored products, such as blankets and fine knitted goods. Identifying problems with textile pests becomes even easier once you know the signs to look for and where.

Regular inspections and monitoring will help to identify a problem early to ensure fast and effective textile pest treatment. This will help to reduce the risk of long term damage to sensitive and valuable items, even leather book bindings and woodwind instruments.

Have you spotted carpet beetles

Call Frontline Pest Management today for advice and to schedule a pest inspection of your home or business or contact us now.

Carpet beetle activity

Signs of damage may only become visible after an infestation has long been established. Clothes moth and carpet beetle larvae feed deep in the carpet pile in dark and undisturbed areas, meaning infestations may go undetected for years, particularly if the areas are not regularly cleaned.

If you have items in your home or business that could be at risk, it is critical to regularly look for other visible signs of an infestation to identify a problem early.

Signs of activity

Live or dead adult insects – such as carpet beetles or clothes moths, often found gathered around window openings are an indication of an infestation. To confirm their presence, move heavy items of furniture to expose carpet underneath. Look for moths that may scurry or fly from behind or underneath furniture.

Faeces and shed skin – carpet beetle larvae produce faecal pellets about the size of a salt grain and shed brown shell like cast skins. These will be concentrated in the source area of infestation. Part the carpet pile to expose the backing in several areas under furniture, around skirtings and in corners, and examine for the presence of insect droppings. Examine the surface of the carpet in the same areas for loose or eaten pile and insect debris such as silk threads, cocoons, tubes, cases and cast skins. Carpet pile will be removed on vacuuming in areas of severe infestation.

Larvae – larvae prefer to hide in quiet, dark, undisturbed locations such as under large items of furniture (that are not often moved) or in wardrobes or closets. Carpet beetle larvae have alternate light and brown striped bodies and are covered with dense tufts of hair – giving them the nick name “woolly bears”.

Eggs – check for eggs which are are often laid in air ducts, cupboards, wardrobes, under furniture as well as on textiles and fabrics.

Damage

Carpet beetles are usually attracted to natural fabric items such as carpets, tapestries, rugs, leather book bindings, upholstered furniture, silks and feathered items. Their presence will usually be indicated by insect debris (droppings and/or silk threads) around the damaged area.

Woollen products – In general, untreated woollens stored unprotected in cupboards for several months are more prone to insect damage. Wool textiles in frequent use and regularly washed or dry cleaned are unlikely to suffer damage from textile pests unless infestations occur nearby.

Knitted goods – Insect damage to fabrics and fine knitted goods usually takes the form of irregular shaped holes where yarns have been completely severed and eaten, much like the damage small caterpillars can do to leaves of plants.

Other items at risk – include pillows, mattresses, cushions and furniture with traditional fillings such as feathers or horse hair. Brushes and paint brushes made with natural bristles, and pads and felts in woodwind instruments (especially if stored for long periods of time) may also be found with damage.

Have you noticed these signs?

Call Frontline Pest Management on 3293 4475 for fast treatment of carpet beetles.


Providing pest control solutions to Brisbane homes for almost 20 years, we have all the expertise needed to bring an infestation safely and quickly under control.

We will identify the pest species invading your home or business.

With access to leading innovative processes we will ensure effective treatment, which will prevent future re-infestations.