Two Different Starting Points for Carpet Beetles in Waltham Forest
Fitted carpet over original floorboards in Leyton
Many of Leyton's Victorian terraces were converted with fitted carpet laid straight over the original floorboards, and larvae feeding along the skirting edges and under furniture that rarely gets moved can go unnoticed for a long stretch. A jumper pulled from a drawer with small irregular holes is often what actually gets people calling.
Built-in storage in Lea Valley canal-side flats
The newer developments towards the Lea Valley and the Olympic Park edge tend to come with built-in storage, and boxes of clothing or bedding left there untouched for a season give larvae exactly the undisturbed conditions they need to feed and develop.
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
Finding Out What's Actually Being Fed On
Tell us where the damage has shown up and what's stored nearby — that's usually enough to work out where to start.
