They belong to the order Coleoptera and the family Dermestidae.
Besides moths, another common cause of carpet destruction is insects of the Dermestidae family, or common carpet beetles.
Adult beetles are harmless and feed on pollen.
However, their larvae are the ones that cause damage to carpets, fabric furniture upholstery, and leather goods.
They can also attack cotton, synthetic fabrics that have been soaked in sweat, oils, beer, milk or fruit juices.
Some species even attack nuts and cereals.
Their biological cycle lasts from 9 to 24 months.
The main species
Black carpet beetle: Attagenus unicolor (Dermestes)
Common carpet beetle: Anthrenus flavipes
Spotted Furniture Beetle: Anthenus verbasci
Treatment
It is important to keep carpets and furniture clean by regularly vacuuming. Carpets should be sent for dry cleaning periodically. During the summer, it is recommended to store cleaned carpets in airtight plastic bags or paper wrappers. Storage areas should be clean and free of woolen fabrics that may already be infested with beetles.
If an infestation is found, vacuuming should be done first and then other measures taken. Placing lavender or cedar oil-based products in storage bags can prevent infestations to some extent.
For chemical control, the effect of solvents on the fabric should be tested first and both surfaces should be carefully sprayed. Alternatively, to avoid toxic insecticides, especially if there are pets or small children, non-toxic methods such as the use of superheated steam or dry ice are preferred.
