Identifying the larva first
The larva itself is short, hairy and narrows toward one end, which is why people often liken it to a tiny hairy carrot; it also barely moves compared with a carpet moth caterpillar - the same pattern holds near Archway, where terraced streets and estates on the borough's northern edge. Adults are small and rounded with a speckled pattern, and you'll most often notice one stuck on a windowsill trying to get out, just as near Highbury, where grand Victorian terraces around Highbury Fields and the streets close to the stadium.
Floorboard gaps in Islington's period housing
In the Georgian and Victorian housing that makes up so much of Islington, the larvae live happily in the gaps between original floorboards and under fitted carpets, where fluff, hair and old fibres build up out of sight over years, particularly in a converted flat with several previous occupants.
Old bird and wasp nests in the roof
An old bird's nest or an inactive wasp nest sitting under the eaves of a period terrace is one of the most common sources. Carpet beetles thrive on the feathers, fur and insect remains found in a nest, then once that runs out they drift into the house looking for carpet to feed on instead, whether that's near Canonbury, where georgian squares and terraces close to the Regent's Canal, or elsewhere in the borough.
Tracing the source
A repeat problem usually means the carpet treatment alone missed the real source, often an old roof nest or fibre trapped under the floor, still supplying fresh beetles, true near Highbury too, where grand Victorian terraces around Highbury Fields and the streets close to the stadium. When cleaning doesn't stop the damage returning, that's the point to have both looked at properly, whether that's near Finsbury Park, where housing around the park itself, or elsewhere in the borough.
What to do before treatment
- Vacuum thoroughly, including carpet edges, skirting boards and under furniture
- Wash or dry-clean any affected woollens and feather-filled items
- Remove dried flowers or old nests you can safely reach and dispose of them
- Keep a note of which rooms and items are affected
Booking carpet beetle treatment in Islington
Carpet beetle treatment in Islington is priced at £180 for the first room and £60 for each additional room, and given that around Highbury, where grand Victorian terraces around Highbury Fields and the streets close to the stadium, it is worth checking older rooms first before you book carpet beetle treatment and tell us which rooms show damage, with the rest on the Islington carpet beetle treatment page.
