Black Carpet Beetle

The destroyer of household articles that are made of natural fibres.

Destroyer of garments and other household items made of natural fibers. And a pantry pest too. It is the larave that causes most damage.

The black carpet beetle is among the most common and most destructive species of carpet beetles. It damages household products containing keratin, a principal protein found in animal hair and feathers. Plant products such as cereals and grains, as well as synthetic fabrics not derived from animal matter, may also be attacked.
Life Cycle and Description

The black carpet beetle undergoes complete metamorphosis, passing through the egg, larva, pupa, and adult stages within 2 months to 2 years depending on ambient temperature.

Adult Black Carpet Beetles are Dark brown to black in colour, and oval in shape. Their length ranges from 1/8 to 3/16 inches. The adults feed outdoors on pollen and nectar and about a week of feeding they later move indoors to lay eggs. Lifespan of an adult ranges from nine months to three years depending on food availability and other environmental factors.

Eggs: Females lay about 50 small, white eggs which hatch in six to ten days. Eggs are deposited in lint, cracks, and other areas near larval food supply where they are rarely seen.

Larvae: The larva of the black carpet beetle is the damaging stage of this pest. The cigar-shaped larva is long and narrow with short, stiff hairs on a dark brown to black body. Long, bristlelike tails are visible on older larvae. A black carpet beetle larvae may grow 1/2 inch long while undergoing five to 11 molts. Cast larval skins are often seen on infested fabrics and can easily be mistaken for living larvae. The larval stage may require three months to nearly two years in order for pupation to occur.
Pupae: The black carpet beetle pupates in its last larval skin after the majority of larval feeding and growth occurs. The pupal stage lasts six to 24 days.

Medical and Economic Significance

The black carpet beetle is considered a general feeder but economic damage primarily occurs on fabrics in the household. They are known to eat large, irregular holes through any acceptable food material. They prefer to feed on the surface of wool products while hairs are cut at the base of furs leaving bare spots on the hide. On most fabrics the nap is usually consumed leaving the base threads intact. Additionally, the black carpet beetle may be a pest of stored products when it invades containers of cereals, nuts, and stored grain. Damages caused as a result of black carpet beetle infestations render most fabrics aesthetically unappealing and useless. Furthermore, those in close association with black carpet beetles may suffer allergic reactions as a result of exposure to beetle fragments, cast skins, or dust.

Black carpet beetles can be detected by close inspection of susceptible household goods. Depending on the value of the infested product, some may opt to discard the product while others may choose control options in an effort to salvage the goods.
Careful inspection is the first step in controlling black carpet beetle infestations. All susceptible household fabrics ranging from rugs to mounted animal specimens must be inspected closely for presence of larvae, their cast skins, and damage. Other food sources such as stored grains, bird seed, and cereals should also be examined. Since adult beetles feed on pollen and nectar, all cut flowers from the outdoors should be inspected for black carpet beetle presence. Screens should also be installed around windows and doors should be tightly fitted to prevent adults from entering the structure. Additionally, black carpet beetles favor animal nests such as that of birds and rodents and can be a source of infestation in the winter when the first sign of cold weather forces the beetles indoors. Location and removal of such nests before winter can also prevent infestation.

Vacuuming may be used to remove debris such as animal hair and lint that serves as a food source for black carpet beetles. When located, infested articles should be disposed of. However, if the item is of high value, several options are available. Items such as furs can be placed in cold storage at temperatures around 40°C. Also, some items may be frozen for a week in an effort to kill all beetle larvae.

In the case of a heavy infestation, insecticide treatment may be necessary. Before making insecticide treatments for carpet beetles, the premises should be thoroughly vacuumed. Cracks and crevices can be treated with a dust such as diatomaceous earth or silica aerogel. These dusts may also be applied at the edge of carpeting near the baseboards in infested rooms. Spot treatment of rugs may be made with residual sprays. Emulsifiable concentrates are the best formulations for treatment of carpets and rugs. Some extreme cases may require fumigation by a pest control professional with methyl bromide or sulfuryl fluoride gas (Vikane). Fumigation offers elimination of the current infestation but has no residual protection is provided allowing for reinfestation.

Paradichlorobenzene (moth balls) and napthalene offer little protection against black carpet beetles. Paradichlorobenzene has been shown to slightly inhibit feeding but is not an effective repellent against the black carpet beetle.

Credit: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/fabric/black_carpet_beetle.htm

Our extermination technique for an infestation of Black Carpet Beetle

The application of commercially registered insecticide Spray to exterminate Black Carpet Beetles.

First and foremost, we listen to your concerns and questions. Next, we inspect the structure and spaces thoroughly and devise a strategy that commonly involve deploying of commercially registered pesticides to exterminate Black Carpet Beetles.

Insecticide Spray: To exterminate Black Carpet Beetles successfully we employ contact based insecticide spray. These pesticides are commercially registered with the ministry of the environment, and can only be deployed by a licensed exterminator.

The areas of infestation must be cleared out of litter and debris and cleaned before the technician arrives for the application. All residents and pets must vacate for the duration of treatment plus two hours before returning. The insecticide spray is applied in key areas where the Black Carpet Beetles may nest or travel in search for food. Typically, it takes 3 to 5 weeks for entire population of Black Carpet Beetles to die off.

Expected Results:

When the Black Carpet Beetles comes into contact with the treated surfaces, the pest gets the insecticide on parts of its body, as well, gradually the pesticide reaches into and invades the pest’s nesting environment. The Black Carpet Beetles expire after some time having been affected by the presence of the active ingredient of the insecticide in the Black Carpet Beetles’s physiology.

Warranty:

Our standard service includes a 7 months limited warranty. It may takes between 3 to 5 weeks for entire of the Black Carpet Beetles infestation to die off. If the infestation does not completely die off or if the Black Carpet Beetles infestation revives, then we deliver a second application free of cost. In rare instances where a 3rd application visit is requested within 7 months, it is considered an exceptional situation and a fee of 28% is charged for the service.