Where Carpet Beetle Larvae Feed Undisturbed in Ealing
Skirting-board gaps in Ealing's older houses
Older houses around Ealing tend to have fitted carpet laid decades ago, and the small gap that's opened up at the skirting board over the years collects exactly the mix of fluff, hair and debris the larvae feed on. It's easy to mistake the resulting damage for carpet moth until a woolly bear turns up.
Stored clothing in Southall's cupboards
In Southall, the more common starting point is a cupboard rather than the floor — bedding or wool clothing packed away for a season and left undisturbed. Adult beetles are usually noticed on a windowsill first, having emerged from wherever the larvae had actually been feeding.
Signs to Look For
- Irregular holes in natural-fibre carpets, rugs, clothing or soft furnishings
- Small, bristly larvae ("woolly bears") in carpet edges, cupboards or under furniture
- Tiny shed larval skins gathering in corners or fabric folds
- Adult beetles, a few millimetres long, seen on windowsills in spring
Cutting Off What Carpet Beetles Feed On
Wool and other natural fibres stored in sealed bags rather than open boxes give the larvae nothing to get started on.
