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Carpet Beetle

Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci)

The most common species is the varied carpet beetle Anthrenus verbasci, although there are a number of other species of Anthrenus which are now well established in London and causing increasing problems.

Adult Anthrenus are small rounded beetles, 23mm long, covered with patterns of grey and gold scales (Figure 1).

Adult beetles fly outdoors in late spring and early summer where they mate on flowers before returning indoors and may frequently be found on window sills.

The damage is not caused by the adult beetles but by active, short, fat, hairy larvae often referred to as woolly bears. These larvae are voracious feeders and will rapidly demolish fur, feathers and woollen textiles.

Danger Signs

As they grow they moult and leave empty cast skins which may be the first signs of beetle attack. Carpet beetles can be found in natural situations such as birds' nests and in some houses they have a direct route into the premises from birds' nests in attics and chimneys.

Damage may range from the clipping of an occasional fiber, which only slightly weakens the fabric and may go entirely unnoticed, to the total destruction of articles left undisturbed for many months or years. Fabrics made of a combination of wool with synthetic fibers are not immune to damage.

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Potential Harm

The larvae of varied carpet beetles feed on dead insects, but also feed on upholstery and carpet, so they can damage those materials. They can also damage clothing fabric.

Actual feeding upon wool fiber is done only by the beetle larvae, the presence of adult beetles is simply an indication of an infestation in the dwelling and that woolens should be inspected. The adult beetles themselves usually feed out of doors upon the pollen of flowers. The feeding of carpet beetle larvae can be differentiated from the feeding of clothes moths by the fact that the beetles spin no telltale web. Where carpet beetle feeding is light, damage may therefore go unnoticed, or the fabric may ravel when only a single thread has been severed.

Carpet beetle larvae feed on dry materials of animal origin such as:

> wool
> fur
> silk
> felt
> dried meat
> carcasses

Carpets, rugs, underfelt, wall hangings, clothing, wool insulation and insect collections are frequently damaged.

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Carpet Beetle Preventative Measures

If an infested article is transportable, remove and disinfest by heat or cold treatment. Leave it in the sun wrapped in black plastic, or deep-freeze it for two weeks.

Preventive measures are important. Vacuum carpets, rugs, soft furnishings and upholstery frequently and thoroughly.
Pay particular attention to low-traffic areas of carpets such as edges and under furniture. Washing and steam-cleaning where appropriate, is effective.

When susceptible clothes will be unused for an extended period (for example, woollens over summer) clean them well and store in sealed plastic bags.

Possible obscure sources of infestation should be identified and either removed or disinfested. These include:

> ceiling or pipe insulation
> animal carcasses
> birds' nests
> pet bedding.

Carpet Beetle Pictures

An adult carpet beetle, feeds on flower pollen

Larva of the Varied Carpet Beetle, ‘Woolly Bear’

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