Common Pests - Carpet Beetles

Common Pests

Carpet Beetles

The most common carpet beetles to be found attacking various fabrics of animal origin are the black carpet beetle (Attagenus unicolor) and the variegated carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci). As well as carpets, they can be found in woollen goods, fur, silk, upholstery and stuffed animals.

An infestation of carpet beetles usually occurs in undisturbed areas, such as underneath items of heavy furniture or perimeter areas of the carpet. It is possible for the carpet beetles to attack synthetic carpets, particularly if they are heavily soiled with organic food debris or urine. Many synthetic and woollen carpets are now treated with insecticides at the manufacturing stage rendering them resistant to carpet beetle attacks.

The adult female beetle lays her eggs in dark undisturbed areas. The eggs hatch into reddy-brown coloured larvae or grubs with tufted hair. It is this larval stage that causes the damage to fabrics, rugs, underfelts and carpets. When they are fully fed the larvae change into an immobile pupal stage, which, after several weeks, turn into adult beetles.

Control of carpet beetles is usually achieved by attention to thorough vacuuming of the infested areas followed by the application of residual insecticide sprays.