Insect Treatment Eliminator 
Please
refer to our Allergy Control Section for
elimination and control of dust-mites or visit our section on PROmite dust-mite
treatment.
In addition Cleaning Doctor has a specially developed protective
treatment to banish all creepy crawlies ie flying insects such as
Cockroaches, Fleas, Bed Bugs, Grain Weevils, Carpet Beetles, (Various
Beetles), Lice, Mosquitoes, Flies, Moths, Ants etc.
Variegated Carpet Beetle
(Anthrenus verbasci)
Information
The most common carpet beetles to be found attacking various fabrics
of animal origin (eg, wool and leather) are the black carpet beetle
(Attagenus unicolor) and the variegated carpet beetle (Anthrenus
verbasci).
As well as carpets, they can be found in woollen goods, fur, silk,
upholstery and stuffed animals.
Infestation usually occurs in undisturbed areas, such as below
items of heavy furniture or the edges of carpets. It is possible
for the carpet beetles to attack synthetic carpets, particularly
if they are heavily soiled with organic food debris or urine. Many
synthetic and woollen carpets are now treated with insecticides
at the manufacturing stage making them resistant to carpet beetle
attacks.
Life Cycle
The adult female beetle lays her eggs in dark undisturbed areas.
The eggs hatch into reddy-brown coloured larvae or grubs covered
with tufted hairs. It is this larval stage that causes the damage
to fabrics, rugs, underfelts and carpets. When they are fully fed,
the larvae change into an immobile pupal stage and after several
weeks, turn into adult beetles. The adult beetles usually fly to
exterior areas where they are often attracted to white flowers.
The adult beetles cause no further damage but often infest homes
by their presence in birds' nests or by being brought in on cut
flowers.
Control
In view of the varied routes into the house, and the many potential
and inaccessible hiding places, control of these pests is often
very difficult and may need a number of treatments.
Control is usually achieved by attention to thorough vacuuming
of the infested areas followed by the application of residual insecticide
spray to cracks and crevices. Treatment can be carried out professionally
by your local Cleaning Doctor.
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