Black Carpet Beetle - Maheu&Maheu

Black Carpet Beetle Beetles

Elimination

If only a few adults are found inside the house, they probably came in from outside. In such cases, spot applications around room perimeters and window frames with Maheu&Maheu Crawling Insect Killer should be sufficient. In cases where larvae are also found, the recommended treatment is also to spray with Maheu&Maheu Crawling Insect Killer in readily accessible locations such as baseboard heaters, the inside perimeter of wardrobes, etc. Since Carpet Beetles are structural pests, they can move from floor to floor and from room to room through the building’s structural cavities. In this case, Maheu&Maheu Insecticide Dust should be applied behind switchplates and outlet plates and around pipe outlets.

In cases where larvae are found in natural fiber clothing, air out (or wash) the clothes, vacuum the shelves or drawers, discard the vacuum cleaner bag (or empty the central vacuum cleaner unit), then apply Maheu&Maheu Crawling Insect Killer around shelves and/or drawers. Wait at least 2 hours before replacing clothes. Ideally, drawers should be lined with a paper (or other) liner to prevent clothing from coming into direct contact with the product.

Actions

Vacuum everywhere (empty receptacle/dispose of bag)
Spray or treat room perimeters with an insecticide wherever insects have been found
Apply insecticide dust to structural voids and roof spaces if larvae are present

Prevention

Vacuum regularly and air out clothing and bedding
Brush pets regularly to keep fur from building up underneath furniture
Seal the outsides of windows, doors, eaves, chimneys, etc. as completely as possible

Description and development

The adult Black Carpet Beetle (Attagenus unicolor ) is a small insect measuring 3.3 to 5.5 mm (1/8" to 3/16") in length. It can range from dark brown to black. The long, narrow larva has a cylindrical, cigar-shaped body with a tuft of hair at the end of its abdomen. It is approximately 12.5 mm (1/2") in length, and is brown or black in color.

Females lay some fifty eggs each on any material that may serve as food for the larvae. The adults, which reach maturity indoors, will venture out of doors to feed on pollen and nectar. After mating, the females return indoors to lay their eggs behind baseboard heaters, in hot air ducts, in attics, and other places. Adults have a lifespan of 30 to 60 days.

Habits

Larvae cause the most damage inside the home. They feed primarily on animal and plant-based fibers such as wool and cotton, as well as animal fur. As a result, it is strongly recommended to sweep and vacuum frequently, and to air out clothing and blankets on a regular basis. Larvae can also live in grain residues. It is therefore important to pay special attention to pet food.

Tips

Black Carpet Beetle larvae like confined spaces between two surfaces. For instance, a mattress lying directly on a carpet could be an attractive spot. Sofas, carpets, clothing, and materials containing animal fibers are popular targets of Black Carpet Beetle larvae. It is therefore essential to pay careful attention to these objects to prevent infestation.

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