Carpet Beetles or Fur Beetles
(Anthrenus Spp) (Attagenus Spp)
Size
Carpet Beetle 3mm. Fur Beetle 5 mm.
Colour
Carpet Beetle - dark brown or black mottled with patches of yellow or white.
Fur Beetle - black with a white spot on either side of back.
Occurrence
Adults live outdoors on plants. Larvae (maggots) live indoors and are often found in birds nests.
Habits
Adult carpet beetles seek the light and therefore stay out of doors from the end of March until June. After mating eggs are laid indoors. The larvae (grubs) known as 'woolly bears' avoid the light and are found in dark, undisturbed places.
Full life cycle takes 1 year.
Beetles gain access to the house via the loft from birds nests in the eaves. The larvae will first attack the insulation in the roof space and spread down pipes into the cylinder cupboard, etc.
Little is known of the Fur Beetle, but its life cycle and habits are similar to the Carpet Beetle.
Food
Adults feed on flowers but larvae feed on materials of animal origin such as woollen goods and may inflict severe damage to fitted carpets, stored clothes etc.
Control
Remove birds nests from roof spaces, eaves etc if present. If lagging infested, then remove and burn together with old birds nests. Vulnerable areas of fitted carpets, ie by skirting boards should be vacuumed with a nozzle cleaner. Environmental Health provide a pest control service for Carpet and Fur Beetles and a charge is applicable.
If you would like us to undertake treatment for Carpet or Fur Beetle, contact us at regulatory@fareham.gov.uk or the Civic Offices, Civic Way, Fareham, PO16 7AZ or telephone us on 01329 236100.
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