Carpet Beetles are widely known for the damage they can cause to a variety of materials of animal origin. There are a number of species active in Australia, however only two of these, the black carpet beetle and the variegated carpet beetle are commonly found causing problems in local homes. Carpet beetles larvae like to feed on or in wool, fur, hair, silk, clothes, fabrics, carpets, rugs, insulation, animal carcasses, bee and wasp nests, and in stored food. An infestation of carpet beetles can be devastating to a property so it is important that an extremely thorough inspection be carried out to ensure no feeding areas are missed. Adult carpet beetles do not pose a problem, it is only during the larval stages that these insects are destructive to the aforementioned list of materials.
