Carpet beetles can be one of the most difficult pests to treat but it used to be a lot worse. As close to an omnivore as you can get, carpet beetles have a knack of finding food in some of the most obscure places which makes finding the source very difficult. What’s more, even if you find the original attraction, you may still have to deal with more beetles that have spread out and found other food sources. Attics, wall voids, storage, clothing, carpets, lint, furniture, draperies, dried flowers, dead carcasses, taxidermy, insect collections, furs abandon wasp or bees nest, etc. etc. The carpet beetle is truly one of natures prime recyclers.
Years ago, treatment for carpet beetles was much like a flea job. A course fan spray was applied to the carpets and/or furniture and removal of any infested articles was about the extent of it. Well, until the complaint calls would start coming in a few weeks later. Back then, more natural fabrics were used in our clothes and furniture and almost every home was a true smorgasbord for the beetle. Also, since we didn’t have today’s products (namely IGR’s-integrated growth regulators and pheromones) It was often times a long lengthy battle and the client was the one who most often suffered the loss.
At present, so much of our clothing, furniture and carpets are more synthetic than anything which has served to greatly limit the widespread infestations of yesteryear. Still, I see this pest on a regular basis and often times my clients are taken aback when I search for more than just a wool sweater. It SHOULD be at least an exhaustive inspection and hopefully just a minor treatment.
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Sigma Pest Control
