Carpet beetles are tiny round beetles, often with a mottled pattern of black, white and yellow. The adults do not eat fabric and are often seen on windowsills in spring, but their larvae are small, hairy and brown, and they feed on wool carpets, rugs, clothes, felt and even stored pet hair. In Brisbane, the damage often shows up as bare patches along carpet edges or holes in woollen clothing.
Because the larvae hide in dark, undisturbed spots, finding them is the main job. The crew we book looks under beds and couches, along skirting boards, inside wardrobes and drawers, in air vents and in the roof void, where old nests, dead insects and lint can give the larvae a food supply. They then treat the affected areas and point out anything that should be cleaned or thrown out.
- Carpet edges, rugs and under-furniture areas inspected
- Wardrobes, drawers and linen cupboards checked
- Cracks, skirting boards and vents treated
- Roof void checked for old nests and debris
- Advice on vacuuming and storing fabrics
Carpet beetles are more common in homes with wool carpet, stored woollens and plenty of built-in storage, which describes many of the older houses in Brisbane. A good vacuum before the visit, including under furniture and inside wardrobes, helps a lot. After the visit, keep vacuuming regularly for a few weeks, wash or freeze any woollens that were near the damage, and store them in sealed bags or tubs.
You may still see a few adult beetles near windows for a while. To book carpet beetle control, call 07 3543 7773 and describe the damage and where you are finding the larvae.
