Carpet Bugs – The Varied Carpet Beetle
Carpet Bugs – The Varied Carpet Beetle
Carpet Bugs – The Varied Carpet Beetle – The Varied Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci) is a recent newcomer to the north of England . having been largely found mainly in more southern counties but now pest controllers in Cheshire, Manchester and Lancashire are increasingly having to deal with this pest.
It is a very distinctive, easily recognised beetle that can be a serious problem in the household. It feeds on natural fibres and can damage anything of natural origin, woolen carpets, furniture and clothing.
The larval form is known as a woolly bear, a name it shares with the larvae of Pyrrharctia isabella or the Isabella Tiger moth.
A verbasci was the very first insect to be demonstrated to have a circadian and an annual cycle and to date remains a classic example of circannual cycles in insects.
The larval form of A. verbasci are roughly 4-5 mm in length. The body is covered in a pattern of alternating light- and dark-brown stripes. The body is usually wider at the back than at the front and also bears 3 pairs of hair tufts along its rear abdomen that can be used for self-defence
These can also cause problems for human beings as when they become embedded in human skin they can cause a reaction similar to a flea or bed bug bite so when checking for the possible presence of biting insects pest controllers also need to be on the lookout for larval casts of the carpet beetle.
Adult A. verbasci range from 1.7 to 3.5 mm in length. Their dorsal surface has scales of two colours, whitish and yellowish-brown. White scales are condensed along the lateral margins of the pronotum. In addition, their antennae are 11-segmented with a club of 3 segments
The varied carpet beetle has a very unusual life cycle for an insect, developing from larvae to adult in 1-3 years, depending on the environment in which it finds itself.
Larvae hatch from eggs in the spring, often they are associated with birds’ nests or around stored natural fabrics Larvae feed on natural fibres throughout their development, eventually experiencing a dormancy or diapause before completing pupation and emerging as an adult. Adults emerge between late March and early August, and feeding on pollen.
These pests cause both physical damage by their larvae eating fabrics and psychological trauma from the vast numbers of these pests which can emerge into living quarters.
When dealing with these pests it is important to check for the presence of birds’ nesting material and remove any nests and feathers etc from the affected area before treating the affected area.
It is important to note that in the U.K legislation affects the removal of birds’ nest, including sparrows and starlings which are the two common birds which have an association with A.verbasci so professional help should be sought to avoid falling foul of the law.
That concludes this article entitled – Carpet Bugs – The Varied Carpet Beetle
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Pest control in Manchester, Lancashire & Cheshire 2009
Pest control in Manchester, Lancashire & Cheshire 2009
Pest Control in Manchester and surrounding areas has seen a lively start in 2009.
Pest controllers were kept busy with the usual city centre rat problems throughout the winter of course, but the relatively early spring has seen ant infestation call outs a month earlier than usual.
The wet summers of 2007 & 2008 were not to the liking of the hymenoptera (sawflies, wasps, ants & bees) but 2009 looks like being a busy year for ant infestation work.
Frequently ants nest under the floors of houses and inside cavity walls causing a large number of foraging ants to visit kitchens & food cupboards.
However it is at mating time when they can be most distressing as they produce winged queens and males which then mate in flight.
The emergence of several thousand of these ‘flying ants’ inside houses can by traumatic indeed.
A relatively new pest has been especially troublesome this year, the Varied Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci).
It was rare for pest controllers in Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire to encounter these pests until recent times but they seemed to arrive from nowhere in 2008 and already this spring has seen reports of varied carpet beetle in unprecedented numbers.
Having a similar life cycle to moths their larvae, known as ‘woolly bears’ can eat natural fibres and can do substantial damage to carpets and natural fabrics. They can be a difficult and persistent pest.
Bed bugs are continuing their resurgence in the Manchester area, frequently arriving as unwanted guests in the suitcases of returning holiday makers.
Often the first reaction of unfortunates who realise that they are infested with these blood-sucking insects is to destroy the old beds and buy new.
This is a costly mistake as despite their name bed bugs do not just live in beds and in an infested room will be found anywhere within about fifteen feet of the bed, in cupboards, drawers etc, even in electrical sockets and the new beds are quickly re-infested.
Many people confuse bed bugs with dust mite which are not visible to the naked eye.
Bed Bugs Bites
They dine exclusively on blood which they take form their sleeping victims. People often associate bed bugs with dirty conditions but nothing could be further from the truth, they don’t require dirt, they dine on you!
Until the end of April 2009 Harrier Pest Control are offering a 25% reduction on their guaranteed ant treatment.
The treatment which is guaranteed for three years, extendable indefinitely by a low cost re-treatment every three years can be carried out in most homes subject to free site survey
Contact Harrier Pest Prevention for details on 0800 019 8382
That concludes this article entitled Pest control in Manchester, Lancashire & Cheshire 2009
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