A thorough inspection must be carried out to ensure all areas of activity are treated, as only the most damaged areas may be noticed initially. Our technicians are trained to detect and treat carpet beetle larvae to prevent further damage to your floor coverings and other items which may be susceptible to attack.
Carpet beetles don’t just damage carpet, they will eat a variety of materials of animal origin, such as wools, furs, feathers, silk, leather, carpets, underlays and rugs. This damage will occur during their larval stage which lasts around nine months. The adult beetle prefers to feed on nectar and pollen and will fly outside to feed on flowers.
The two most common species in Sydney are the variegated carpet beetle and the black carpet beetle, both of which are destructive and require treatment. They are 3-5mm long with an oval shape and are either black or yellow/white/black coloured.
Carpet beetles usually prefer to stay in dark areas with little activity, such as behind a chair in a corner, and their presence may not be detected for some time. Often they hide below furniture which is not normally moved during vacuuming or cleaning.
Any infested clothing can be treated by placing it in a tightly closed black plastic bag and hanging it in the hot sun for at least three hours and then washing it thoroughly. When bringing cut flowers into the house, check for any carpet beetles which may be feeding on the pollen.