Carpet beetles are an insect pest that are relatively common in Australian homes. Most of them belong to either the European Anthrenuse verbasci or the native Australian, Anthrenocerus species. These beetles are generally harmless, unlike most other pests that can potentially invade your houses. However, while they might not have fangs or venom, carpet beetles are notorious for their enmity towards fabrics, furnishings and any clothing that contains natural materials such as cotton, silk or fur. Only pure synthetic items are safe from their wrath.
Carpet beetles are generally pretty small and hard to see, with the average length being 4mm long. The older ones are attracted to light which makes them easier to observe since they will gravitate towards windows or lights. The younger ones, the larvae, actively avoid light and choose to take shelter in dark, narrow spaces. Since they also plan on feeding while they do so, they choose to hide in wardrobes, carpets and rugs, and upholstered furniture. These larvae then shed their skin a few times before they turn into their older, light-loving selves.
It is highly recommended that you reach out to us if you have a potential carpet beetle infestation since these tiny insects are not as easy to deal with through home remedies or by simply spraying insecticide when you spot one.
What you can do
It is important that you recognize the signs of a carpet beetle infestation as early as possible since they multiply at a fast rate. Some of these signs include:
- Damage to fabrics where the garment or carpet has been damaged in a singular large spot as opposed to many smaller holes as the latter could be a sign of a moth infestation instead
- The presence of small shell-like pieces of dead skin that larvae leave behind when they molt, which happens multiple times in a beetle’s life cycle
- Hair or fur falling out from animal products such as trophy heads or animal skin rugs
- Tiny beetles climbing walls or dead beetles at windowsills
- Be wary of bringing in flowers and other similar items since beetles tend to live in flowers and bushes and can be brought inside houses through them
Some preventive measures include:
- Regular vacuuming, especially if you have a lot of upholstered furniture, curtains, carpets or rugs around the house along with steam cleaning
- Wiping surfaces such as kitchen countertops, shelves, cupboards and windowsills with a mixture of vinegar and water to remove dirt and residue from food
- Using indoor insecticides under sinks, cupboards, shelves etc. and any other crevices where beetles can potentially hide (this is for prevention only, in the case of an actual infestation, it is best that you reach out to us)
- Getting rid of any nests (birds or insects) near your house since these are highly susceptible to beetle activity
- Make sure there are no gaps near your windows, especially if you live in an area surround by trees and bushes
- Occasionally open all drawers and closets close to natural light since beetle larvae are not fond of natural light
- If you have experienced an infestation already, it is best to avoid using carpets and rugs made from natural fibers and opt for synthetic fibers instead
What we offer
We guaranty removal of Carpet Moths/Beetles from the infested area. This service may require a thorough spray of infected area and has re-entry time to areas of treatment. Warranty period applies.