Earlier this month we heard from a reader in Glasgow, Scotland! She found a few dozen “little wrigglers” behind the trash can in her bedroom. She explained the corner she found them in is dusty, and there were congregations of the creatures around some black marks on the skirting board. Mostly, she noticed them in little groups in the crack where the carpet meets the wall. She said there are no obvious food sources in that area besides hair, dust, skin. Here is the photo she sent us:
Since our reader included a coin in the photo to use as a scale, we can see just how small this creature is. Other than its size, we know from the picture that it is light brown and segmented. We believe this is a carpet beetle larva!
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Carpet beetle larvae are extremley common household pests. They feed on various items found in a home, including the three our reader mentioned: skin, hair, and dust. They also eat animal products such as fur, feathers, felt, wool, pet hair, as well as other fabrics and materials found around a house. As their name suggests, they also feed on carpet and upholstered furniture like couches and chairs. Since carpet beetle larvae have so many potential food sources around a house, they are often tricky to get rid of. They are also capable of surviving for long periods of time without eating, and traveling from room to room in search of other food sources. Getting rid of these larvae requires cleaning to eliminate any potential food sources and to eradicate their eggs.
Since our reader discovered these larvae in her bedroom on the carpet, we think that is a good place to start. She should have the carpet professionally cleaned, or removed and replaced if its possible for her to do so. She will also need to begin a cleaning regime throughout her entire home to get rid of potential food sources. This should include vacuuming, sweeping, dusting, and doing laundry every day. While it is tedious work, thorough cleaning is the only way to say goodbye to these annoying houseguests.
To wrap up, one of our readers discovered worm-like organisms in her home. We believe they are carpet beetle larvae, and to get rid of them she will need to begin some intense cleaning.
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Summary
Article Name
Small "Wrigglers" are Carpet Beetle Larvae
Description
One of our readers discovered worm-like organisms in her home. We believe they are carpet beetle larvae, and to get rid of them she will need to begin some intense cleaning.
Author
Dori Franklin
