33 6 



THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY, 



reason for this name, and however inapt it may be, it is known 

 more commonly by it than by its more proper name of " carpet- 

 beetle." 



The larva which does the damage measures when full grown 

 about three sixteenths of an inch in length. It is covered with 

 hairs, the longest ones being on the last segment of the body, 

 forming a sort of tail. It makes no cocoon, but when full grown 

 remains quiet for a short time, then the skin splits along the back 



Fig. 2.— Cabpet-Beetle. a, larva, upper side; 6, larva, under side; c, pupa; d, perfect insect 

 (after Riley). The straight lines at the sides show the actual length of each form. 



and the pupa is seen. It continues in this state for a few weeks, 

 when the skin of the pupa bursts and the perfect insect is dis- 

 closed — a beautiful little beetle, less than an eighth of an inch in 

 length, marked with red, black, and white. From October until 

 spring the beetles may be found in all stages of growth — that is to 

 say, in the larval, pupal, and perfect states. 



It is found that few of the usual preventives are of any use 

 against the attacks of this beetle, and for this reason it is a diffi- 

 cult pest to eradicate. In some places it has proved so destructive 

 that carpets have to be dispensed with, and in their place rugs are 

 used, as being more conveniently examined. 



Tallow or tallowed paper placed around the edges of the car- 

 pet, which are often the parts first attacked, is said to be effectual. 

 In many cases the carpets are cut, as if with scissors, following 

 the line of the seams in the floor, and as a remedy for this it has 

 been recommended that the seams be filled during the winter with 

 cotton saturated with benzine. Kerosene, naphtha, or gasoline are 

 offensive to the beetle as well as benzine, but benzine is perhaps 

 the simplest and safest preventive to use. It can be poured from 

 a tin can having a very small spout, it being necessary to use but 

 little. 



Before tacking down a carpet it should be thoroughly ex- 

 amined, and if possible steamed. If in spite of precautions a car- 



