Telling Islington's Carpet Beetles From Moth Damage
Period conversions in Islington itself
The Georgian and Victorian terraces around Islington's own centre, many split into flats along Upper Street and the streets behind it, mostly still have fitted carpet, and years of fluff collecting beneath it and between floorboards is exactly what carpet beetle larvae feed on undisturbed.
Terraced housing towards Archway
Archway's terraced streets, rising towards Highgate Hill, tend to hold onto original carpet and stored textiles for longer than newer housing, giving carpet beetle larvae more to work through once they establish.
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
Dealing With Carpet Beetle in an Islington Home
Because the larvae and the damage they leave look similar to moth, it's worth having activity confirmed before treating — we'll check this when we visit.
