carpet beetle uk::The body is strongly convex, rather like the ladybird beetle and is characterised by the pattern of yellow, black and whitish scales on the body carpet beetle uk

carpet beetle uk

carpet beetle uk

carpet beetle uk::The body is strongly convex, rather like the ladybird beetle and is characterised by the pattern of yellow, black and whitish scales on the body.
Between 20 and 100 eggs are laid by the female during spring and early summer on furs, woollens and any dried materials of animal origin.
When the larvae hatch out, they are hairy and brown with three bunches of golden hairs on the abdomen.
They normally reach a length of 45mm.
They tend to avoid the light and, when disturbed, curl up into a ball.
The eggs hatch between 10 to 35 days depending on the temperature.
The larvae can last at least a year depending on the quality of the food supply.
The adult beetle lives from 741 days.
The adults appear in april, may and june and their resulting larvae hibernate during the following winter pupating during the latter part of february and march.
On emergence the adult beetles seek the light so they usually fly to the windows.
They fly to light coloured flowers where they feed on nectar and pollen.
The larvae feed on feathers and wool soiled with excrement, dead fledglings, etc.
The carpet beetle larvae subsist on the soiled wool and feathers in the nestlining and then manage to get under the eaves in the roof space.
From here they crawl into the upper rooms of the house, usually following the hot water pipe system.
They appear to be attracted to warmer situations.
Airing cupboards often harbour substantial infestations.
If dead birds or rodents are found in chimneys or under floors they should be removed.
Any pieces of old carpet or similar material in lofts or roof voids must be destroyed otherwise they will act as reservoirs of infestation.
In trunks or cases, a deterrent application of paradichlorobenzene or napthalene may be effective if the lids are tightly fitting.
One pound of crystals of the particular chemical should be used for each ten cubic feet of space.
The young larvae and the beetles are the most easily killed by these chemicals but the containers must be kept tightly closed.
Blankets and furnishings treated in this manner should be hung up in a good current of air for ventilation in order that the aromatic odour can be dispersed.
The fully grown larvae of carpet beetles appear to be resistant to modern contact insecticides because they are able to crawl about long after they have come into contact with a lethal dose of insecticide.
Perseverance and patience must be exercised in dealing with this pest as immediate results will seldom be achieved.
If you have any further questions about carpet beetles or other pests, please.
carpet beetle uk::However, the favored larval foods are dead insects
and spiders, which may account for the frequent occurrence of the
varied carpet beetle in insect collections in museums carpet beetle uk