Identifying the larva first
You can tell a carpet beetle larva by its short, hairy, tapered body, often likened to a tiny hairy carrot, and by how little it moves compared with a carpet moth larva, true near Forest Gate too, where victorian terraces and conversions on the tree-lined streets towards Wanstead Flats. The adult beetle is small, rounded and patterned, and is often spotted on a windowsill trying to get back outside after hatching indoors by accident.
New-build flats near the Olympic Park
It isn't only older housing that sees carpet beetles: the regenerated new-build blocks near the former Olympic Park have fitted carpets and, like any newly finished building, birds nesting in nearby eaves or balconies that can feed larvae before they ever reach a carpet indoors.
Older terraces and old nests in the roof
In the borough's Victorian terraces, an old bird's nest or an inactive wasp nest sitting in the eaves is one of the most common sources. Carpet beetles feed on the feathers, fur and insect debris left behind, and once that runs out, the beetles move down into the house looking for a new supply.
Where else to check
Besides carpets, look at stored woollens, feather-filled cushions and pillows, and the dusty undersides of furniture that rarely gets moved. Skirting boards near an exterior wall are worth checking closely if a nest might sit in the eaves above.
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 any 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 Newham
Carpet beetle treatment in Newham is priced at £180 for the first room and £60 for each additional room, and given that around West Ham, where terraced streets close to West Ham Park, 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 Newham carpet beetle treatment page.
