FABRIC PESTS
Fabric pests cause extensive damage to carpets, clothes, furniture, etc. They feed on the keratin contained in animal furs, hairs, feather, etc. An understanding of this will help in identifying and managing these pests. We will discuss the most common of these pests, the common carpet beetle, the black carpet beetle, the casemaking clothes moth, and the webbing clothes moth. |
IDENTIFICATION |
Common Carpet Beetle
- Size: About 1/16 to 1/8 inch long
- Shape: Oval
- Color: Black with a pattern of whitish and orange/red scales on the back.
- Head: More or less concealed from above
- Larvae: Up to 1/4 inch long, reddish brown covered with black hairs
Fabrics typically have extensive surface damage and odd shaped holes. Tacked down carpets will have damage done along the edges. Furs and brushes will have damage to the ends of the hairs. See CONTROL page for treatment procedures.
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Black Carpet Beetle
- Size: About 1/8 to 1/4 inch long
- Shape: Elongated Oval
- Color: Dark brown to black
- Head: More or less concealed from above
- Larvae: Up to 1/4 inch long, carrot shaped tapering towards the rear and covered with golden brown to dark brown hairs
Fabrics typically have surface damage and occasional holes. The larvae can create large irregular holes in material. Furs have damage to the base of the hairs, giving the hide a bare appearance. See CONTROL page for treatment procedures.
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