Rural houses often have more to eat for these insects: sheepskin rugs, feather cushions, old taxidermy, loft nests. Working out which pest is chewing matters.
Carpet beetles and clothes moths both leave holes in natural fibres, but they behave differently, so it pays to know which you have. The damage is caused by larvae in both cases. Moth larvae are pale and soft and live in silken tubes. Carpet beetle larvae are brown, striped and bristly, and look like tiny hairy caterpillars. The adult carpet beetle is a small, round beetle, often spotted white, brown and black, while the moth is a pale, buff-coloured insect.
Marnham covers small villages in the Trent valley north of Newark, rural with farmland and riverside land close by. Homes there often have things that carpet beetles love: wool rugs, feather duvets, old hunting or fishing mounts, dried flowers and bird nests in the roof space. Adult carpet beetles come in from outdoors in spring, drawn by flowers and light, and lay eggs inside where larvae can feed on dead insects and fibres.
Moths stay near their food: wardrobes, drawers and rugs in quiet corners. Carpet beetle larvae wander more widely, and the source of the problem might be a dead bird or wasp nest in the loft, a mouse nest under the floor or a build-up of dust and hair below a radiator. They can also feed on pet food, flour and other dried goods. This is why a clean-out of the obvious places sometimes fails to stop the damage.
Check the loft for old nests, behind radiators, under furniture and inside air vents. Clear any dead insects and old nest material. Wash fabrics, vacuum all carpet edges and use a damp cloth along skirtings.
Timing gives a hint. Adult carpet beetles appear on windows in spring and early summer, looking for light and flowers, while clothes moths can be seen at any time in a heated house. Larvae of both are active through the year indoors. A spring crop of small round beetles on a sill, followed by bristly larvae in the autumn, is a very typical carpet beetle pattern in houses near fields and gardens.
If damage continues, call 0115 937 5117. A free pest prevention survey and free advice come with all treatments, and we will help you identify the insect.
Not always. Both leave holes. Carpet beetle damage tends to be more scattered and often accompanied by shed bristly skins, while moth damage is often grouped, with webbing nearby.
They do not bite or spread disease. The hairs of larvae can irritate skin and cause a rash in some people, and the insects can damage valuable textiles and furnishings.
Tell us what you have seen and where, and we will come back to you. Prices are fixed and there is no call-out charge.
