In past years when homeowners called in the pest controller to carry out an interior treatment, being most professional, they would almost always spray the skirting boards right throughout the house. Of course that was not all they did, but that interior perimeter treatment certainly controlled lots of inside insect pests.

That mode of treatment seems to be fading rapidly as most people are more conscious of pesticides and more often than not, opt for less, such as baits etc. or no chemicals at all. Our pest control cousins in USA rather mockingly refer to those that still carry out such treatments as “baseboard jockeys”

More is the pity (in some ways) because that type of treatment saved a lot of fabric floor coverings being destroyed by carpet beetles, and with modern, far less toxic chemicals it is still a viable strategy.

Ten years ago, few calls were about carpet beetles. That has all changed. Most homeowners have steered away from 100% synthetic carpets, and opt for at least some wool content. Wool is very attractive to carpet beetles.
Adult carpet beetles cause no damage, but feed on nectar and pollens. Usually the adult beetles are transported inside on cut flowers, and once inside, will lay eggs close to a preferred food source, for the soon to be hatched larva. Most modern homes must seem like a smorgasbord to larvae.

Larvae cause all the damage, and they show a preference for a wide range of fabrics of mostly animal origin, that includes wool, blended wool/synthetics, fur, silk, clothes, fabrics, carpets, rugs, under felts, felts, fibre type insulating materials, and stored foods including dried meats, seeds, grains and cereals.

Carpet Beetles

The larval stage is easily recognized. They are slow moving, and between 4 -7 mm long, dependent upon the species. They are light to dark brown in colour and covered all over in bristles. As the larvae increases in size, they moult, leaving cast off brown skins. The cast off skins are frequently the first evidence a homeowner gets to suggest they have carpet beetles.

Most damage inside the home seems to be caused to carpets, and the majority of that damage will be close to the walls, usually below windows.
Attraction to light may not be a significant factor, as they are known to frequent areas under furniture and even cupboards.

Prevention
Preventive measures are most important. Vacuuming of carpets, rugs, soft furnishings and upholstery frequently and thoroughly is an absolute must. Even if not seen, the larvae will be collected when vacuuming.

Particular attention should be paid to low-traffic areas of carpets such as edges and under furniture. Once every few weeks it would be advisable to move furniture and thoroughly vacuum those areas. Washing will certainly help and steam cleaning would be exceptionally effective. Out of season clothing, unused for an extended periods (for example, woollens over summer) should be cleaned well and stored in sealed plastic bags. Vacuum-sealed storage bags are ideal.

Bird lice are not only possible pest resulting from birds nesting in the roof. Carpet beetles are known to feed on bird nesting material and droppings. Birds should be excluded and most importantly, all nesting material should be removed wherever possible. Whenever nesting material cannot be easily removed, then the site should be treated with an insecticidal dust.

A Vinegar spray might be useful as a routine treatment applied to carpet edges, however care should be taken to ensure that the vinegar mixture does not stain or mark the carpet.

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