Carpet Beetles in Kensington and Chelsea's Older Buildings
Floorboard gaps in Ladbroke Grove's terraces
The older terraces near Ladbroke Grove kept their original suspended timber floors even where the rest of the house has been modernised, and the gaps between boards collect years of fluff and debris that carpet beetle larvae feed on. Loft spaces where birds have nested in the eaves add another source, with beetles gradually working their way down into the rooms below.
Fitted carpets in Earl's Court's converted flats
Earl's Court's mansion blocks were mostly fitted with wall-to-wall carpet when they were converted into flats, and the edges where that carpet meets the skirting are where larvae tend to concentrate, feeding on trapped fibres and debris. Stored woollens in a wardrobe or airing cupboard are just as vulnerable, and damage there is often mistaken for something else until the larvae are found.
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 Beetles in a Kensington and Chelsea Home
We'll ask which rooms are affected and whether any stored clothing or textiles need checking as well as the carpet.
