Carpet Beetle Removal

Did you know that the larvae of the carpet beetle is known as a woolly bear? Carpet beetles are a small and oval shaped textile insect which can cause damage to your property. Similar to common clothes moths, they feed on natural fabrics, such as wool, fur and cashmere. In our latest blog we explore how you can identify if you have a carpet beetle infestation. We also discuss how to prevent and eradicate carpet beetles and the specialist carpet beetle treatments we provide. If you think you have carpet beetles, why not give us a ring today on 02081665110 to discuss our professional carpet beetle removal service.

Where do carpet beetles live?

Contrary to popular belief, carpet beetles do not just live in carpets! Carpet beetle larvae, known as ‘woolly bear’ feed off woollen items of furniture and clothing. Examples include rugs, soft-furnishings, mattresses and fur clothes. The first step of carpet beetle removal is to identify if you have an infestation. If you think you have carpet beetles in your home or business, here are some areas to investigate:

• the loft: a perfect breeding ground for carpet beetles as it is dark. We are all guilty of storing items in the loft which get forgotten about. If you have off-cuts of carpet or rugs in the loft, it is advisable to inspect these regularly for signs of infestation.
• bedroom: there are several areas within the bedroom where carpet beetles can breed. Carpet beetle larvae feed off wool, which is commonly found in carpet. If you have items of clothing made from wool or cashmere stored in your wardrobe, the larvae could also be found in these items. Therefore, it is advisable to regularly inspect these for signs of infestation, such as small holes found on clothing.
• the living room: include several items where the carpet beetle can live. Cashmere throws and rugs feel beautifully soft, but they are a source of nutrition for carpet beetle larvae. Many London homes we inspect for carpet beetle removal will also have a piano, which can be a common place for carpet beetles to live due to the felt.
• old bird’s nests: larvae can feed off bird’s feathers. Bird’s nests are commonly found in trees within your garden, but they can also be found on the roof of your home or business. A thorough approach to carpet beetle removal will inspect the interior and exterior of your home to identify sources of infestation.

Carpet beetle bites

An extremely common misconception is that carpet beetles bite. Some customers can often contact us for a bed bug treatment when it is in fact a carpet beetle treatment that they require. This is because the fine hairs on the carpet beetle larvae, which are known as ‘woolly bears’, can cause an allergic reaction in some people. One way in which the body can react to the ‘woolly bears’ is for the skin to develop welts. These welts can be commonly mis-diagnosed as bed bug bites. The bristles from the larvae can also enter the air within people’s homes and can cause respiratory problems, such as difficulty breathing. Professional carpet beetle treatments will remove the larvae and the beetles and prevent allergic reactions. Therefore, if you think you have carpet beetles, contact us today to discuss our professional carpet beetle treatments.

How can I prevent carpet beetles infestations?

As with many common pests, exceptional hygiene standards can prevent carpet beetle infestations. Here are some top tips for preventing carpet beetles in your home or business:

• de-clutter your loft: which are dark and untouched can attract a carpet beetle infestation. Following a home renovation, it is common for people to store of f-cuts of carpet in their loft. We would advise against this as a way to prevent carpet beetle infestations.
• regularly sort through clothes in your wardrobe: particularly those which contain keratin. A key sign to look out for is small holes in your clothes where the larvae have fed off the keratin. Regularly sorting through these items is a sure way to spot this early sign of a carpet beetle infestation. A common misconception is that the small holes are cause by moths. However, there are different signs to look out for if you think you have a moth infestation. 
• dry clean cashmere or woollen items: regular dry cleaning of cashmere or woollen items can prevent carpet beetle infestations. Often when we complete a carpet beetle treatment, we will recommend our customers dry clean these items and store them in vacuum packed bags to prevent further infestations.
• vacuum: regular vacuuming can pick up debris, as well as the carpet beetles, eggs and larvae. Therefore, if you have an existing carpet beetle infestation, then using a small-nozzle vacuum cleaner can pick up traces of the carpet beetles in the small crevices in your carpet.

Mercury Pest Control provides professional carpet beetle treatments in London

At Mercury Pest Control, we have over 15 years experience of providing professional pest control services in London. We can provide rapid carpet beetle treatments for domestic and commercial customers in London. That means, whether you’re a London home-owner who’s identified carpet beetles in your loft or your an antique dealer with taxidermy in the window – we are are here to help! Contact us for a quote or call us on 0208 166 5110 to discuss our professional carpet beetle treatments.