CARPET BEETLES or WOOLLY BEAR GRUBS

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Carpet Beetle
Photo Courtesy of André Karwath aka Aka Wikipedia

Carpet Beetles or Woolly Bear Grubs are major textile household pests causing problems in Europe, USA and many other countries. The larvae of this small mottled brown and cream ladybird, measuring between 2-4 mm in length, is capable of damaging all types of woollen textiles.
In the home, the females of this species can invade wardrobes, cupboards and carpets where they lay their eggs. Read below for their interesting life cycle.

The Life Cycle of this Carpet Caterpillar

• The adult bugs may live in the garden feeding on the nectar and pollen of flowers.
• In the Autumn they need to find a hibernation site when they may choose a centrally heated house with fitted carpets!
• In Spring-time the adults mate and the female lays her eggs in her chosen fabric. The laying site may be in a carpet fringe or under a bed, sofa or on woolly clothes in cupboards, in accumulated debris in an attic or even in an old birds nest in the eaves.
• After about 12 days the eggs hatch into larvae that are sometimes called Woolly Bear Grubs or Carpet Caterpillars.
• The grubs feed on fur and feathers, dead insects and wool.
• These caterpillar-like larvae shed their skins as they grow up to their mature size of about 4mm (1/8 inch).
• The larvae born in attics can wander around pipe lagging and find their way into bedrooms, closets and carpets in which to cause havoc, confusion and often feelings of horror and disgust.
• By Autumn-time most larvae are now Lady-Like looking beetles and the cycle starts again!

Source Video YouTube


Damage Caused

The larvae bite through threads, making well defined round holes often at the seams of the fabric.

Controlling these Pests

• Trace the beetles entry points in the house.
• Look up in the loft. Are there any old birds nest or accumulated debris up there? Check the pipe lagging for any evidence.
• Vacuum and clean all areas of infestation to the best of your ability.
• Take extra care when treating delicate fabrics.
• Buy a specific Carpet Beetle aerosol insecticide to spray the carpets. It is often the same as one for Moths. This treatment should contain an ingredient that is long-term effective as otherwise the larvae may still survive insecticidal exposure.
• Buy a specific insect powder to dust between floor boards, in crevices and corners and under carpets.
• Protect any woollen clothes in storage with moth or carpet beetle repellent crystals.

Good Luck with getting rid of these bothersome creatures from your home.
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