Where the Borough's Carpet Beetles Are Found
Fitted carpets in Richmond's period houses
In the larger period houses around Richmond, carpet beetle larvae — the small bristly "woolly bears" — gather along skirting edges and under furniture on fitted carpet, particularly in bedrooms and landings that see less daily traffic.
Stored textiles near Kew
In houses close to Kew, storage boxes holding old carpet offcuts or clothing in a loft or spare room give carpet beetles a food source that can sit untouched for a long time, with adult beetles often first noticed on a windowsill in spring.
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 the Borough
Checking stored textiles as well as fitted carpet gives a fuller picture of what's affected before anything is booked.
