Guest guest Posted July 2, 2005 Report Share Posted July 2, 2005 Barb, Carpet beetles are very small beetles (about 1/8 inch, black or multicolored) that are quite common, but rarely seem because of their small size. The beetle itself is harmless, but the larvae are very destructive. They eat only high protein " foods " like wool and hair, and have been known to destroy museum collections of animals and insects. The larvae (which are golden, fuzzy and readily visible, about a 1/4 inch) do nothing but eat and defecate; I believe that their fecal material is very allergenic, so this is one downside to wool carpets. (In dust samples from buildings, I often find wool and human or pet hair hairs with larval " bites. " ) In addition to fecal allergens, the larval hairs can also be irritating. In homes with infestations, larval hairs can be found in air samples.The fecal pellets themselves are too large to become aerosolized, but if crushed, fragments do become airborne. I have a photo of a larva at: http://www.mayindoorair.com/photo.htm and a scanning electron micrograph of the beetle and the larval fecal material in " My House is Killing Me! " Sorry for the gross details but the more you know, the safer you can be. BTW, " My Office is Killing Me! " will be published by s Hopkins University Press next March. May May Indoor Air Investigations LLC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2005 Report Share Posted July 4, 2005 Thanks. My wool carpet is about 40 years old. I didn't buy carpet but a family member did before I had house. It looks like new but lots of fibers come up in vacuuming, so it's quite possible fibers are airborne. I think I'll go vacuum it right now! > Barb, > > Carpet beetles are very small beetles (about 1/8 inch, black or multicolored) that are quite common, but rarely seem because of their small size. The beetle itself is harmless, but the larvae are very destructive. They eat only high protein " foods " like wool and hair, and have been known to destroy museum collections Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2005 Report Share Posted July 4, 2005 Thanks. You think it would be okay for my cat if he licked off it's paws? Does anyone know any different re: pets and diatomeous earth? I guess it wouldn't be much different than other things he gets on his paws outdoors. > > Have you tried sprinkling diatomeous earth? ITs literally micoskeltons of > marine animals that have razor sharp edges that is used to kill > fleas/ticks....might work on your carpet beetles. > > ITs non-toxic and they do sell it in nurseries. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.