Carpet Beetle Larvae

Adult Carpet beetles usually fly outside at the end of early spring as well as very early summertime, since they tend to  mate on flowers and blooms before heading back inside your home and are regularly to be found on window sills. The wear and tear they cause is not due to the mature beetles, but by the more productive, small furry larvae also known as woolly bears. These types of larvae tend to be voracious feeders and will swiftly destroy many natural and man made materials

As the larvae mature, they moult and leave empty skins which are often the initial signs of beetle attack that are noticed.

Carpet beetles are usually found in natural enviroments which includes birds' nests and usually they will take a direct route into the home from the birds' nests in attics and chimneys. Destruction is likely to  range from the minor clipping of fibre, which simply slightly weakens the material and may go altogether undetected, to the entire deterioration of objects left undisturbed for several months or years. Materials produced from a combination of wool along with man made fibres are also not resistant to destruction.

Carpet Beetle larvae feed on dead insects, but also on furniture and carpet, damaging those materials. They can also damage clothing. Damage of wool fibre is performed solely by the beetle larvae, the existence of adult beetles is simply a sign of an infestation within the home and it is a good idea that woolens should really be checked. The adult beetles themselves commonly feed outdoors on the pollen of plants. The feeding of carpet beetle larvae could be distinguished from the feeding of clothes moths because the beetles spins no web. Where carpet beetle feeding is light, destruction may well go unnoticed, or the material may unravel when simply a individual thread has become cut.

Carpet beetle larvae feed on dry materials of animal decent such as wool, silk or fur. Carpets, rugs, curtains, clothing  are also  likely to be harmed.

If an infested article is removable,  you can kill the larvae by high temperature or cold treatment. Try leaving it in the sun wrapped in black plastic, or deep-freeze it for a couple weeks. Preventive measures are essential. Vacuum carpets, rugs, and other furnishings and upholstery thoroughly on a regular basis.

Pay particular attention to areas of carpets and rugs for example edges as well as below furnishings. Cleaning and steam-cleaning wherever applicable, is most effective.When clothes may be untouched for an extended period of time (for example, woollens over summer time) thoroughly clean all of them well and store inside closed plastic bags.

If the above guidelines are followed, then you should have minimal problem with carpet beetles and your home should be reasonably well protected.