Adults, oblong shape and 4.5 - 6mm long;
colour: black, but for small patch of white hairs on either side of elytra;
base of thorax also covered with white hairs; larvae have distinctive
tuft of very long hairs which project backwards.
The Fur beetle may be found in a wide
variety of products including furs, skins, textiles and grain. Adult carpet
beetles live outdoors on pollen and nectar, they can also be found
wandering On walls and windows. In temperate climates the larvae are particularly
evident in autumn when they wander in search of food and hibernation sites.
Carpet beetles thrive in situations where they remain undisturbed, for
example beneath carpets, around skirting boards and in wardrobes. Bird
and rodent nests, animal remains and dead insects are frequently reservoirs
of infestations, so museums are a favourite stop (see damage below to
an insect specimen).
Significance:
Larval forms can cause considerable damage
to keratin-containing products such as wool, fur, leather silk and dried
animal remains. Occasionally, food products of plant origin, such as cereals
and fibres, will also he attacked. Damage takes the form of clean, irregular
holes and in textiles these generally occur around seams. There is no
webbing or excrement present and by the time larvae are observed, considerable
damage has often been done. Because of the large number of larval moults,
when cast larval skins are seen they tend to exaggerate the extent of
the infestation.
Carpet beetles are of limited significance
as a health hazard, although they are potential vectors of anthrax. In
certain situations the larval hairs cause skin irritation to those exposed
to large numbers of the insects.
Control Measures
Inspection:
Locate the source of infestation before
treatment. Carpet beetle larvae prefer to feed in dark, undisturbed, protected
places. Use a flashlight and nail file to check in such places as under
baseboards, in and under upholstered furniture, piano felts, air ducts,
stuffed animal trophies, stored cereals, bird nests under eaves, rodent
nests, wasp nests in attics, dead birds or rodents in wall voids, woolens,
clothes closets, furs, etc. Often the cast skins are more abundant than
the larvae. Adult beetles flying around windows may help in locating the
infestation.
Prevention:
Good housekeeping is critical. Use a strong
suction vacuum cleaner with proper attachments to remove lint, hair and
dust from floors, shelves and drawers. Periodically brush, air outside,
or dry-clean furs, woolens, blankets, etc. Clean rugs, carpets, draperies,
furniture, baseboards, air vents, moldings and other hard-to-reach places
regularly. Destroy untreated worthless animal skins or hides, valueless
insect collections, old woolen rags and old clothing. Cedar-lined closets
and chests help but are not 100 percent effective. Use one pound of naphthalene
flakes or balls or paradichlorobenzene (PDB) crystals per 100 cubic feet
of closet space for limited protection (but
always remember the health risks to children who may think moth balls
are sweets). Any tight box or bag that can be sealed
is a good storage container. Place garments in and add PDB crystals or
naphthalene flakes interspaced between sheets of paper. Use one ounce
of crystals or flakes per two cubic feet of container space. Be sure that
all cloth goods are dry-cleaned, washed, pressed with a hot iron, sunned
or brushed prior to storage. Fur storage in cold vaults is effective.
Remove and destroy abandoned bird and insect nests in attics, under eaves,
etc.
Insecticides:
Woolen carpets, clothing and blankets
may be sprayed lightly with a ready-to-use aerosol spray such as permethrin
before placing in storage. Do not over-apply and be sure to dry-clean
clothing before wearing after they have been in storage. Upholstered furniture
and pillows may require fumigation by a pest control operator where surface
sprays would not be effective. After thoroughly cleaning under heavy furniture,
rugs, rug pads and carpets, especially around the edges, apply insecticide
crack & crevice sprays and spot treatments. Apply coarse spray surface
treatments along edges of wall-to-wall carpeting in closets, corners,
cracks, baseboards, moldings and other hiding places. Spraying surfaces
where insects crawl or hide is very effective. Some carpets and their
dyes may be susceptible to running and discoloration by certain insecticides.
(If in doubt, conduct a small test of the product on the target carpet
or similar material before treating.) Use of dusts in voids will offer
long-term treatment.
Back to main Textile
Pests page