CARPET BEETLES 



and the spaces about the quarter rounds and baseboards. These 

 sprays kill only the insects that are hit and are best applied by power 

 sprayers in the hands of a pest-control operator, although hand 

 sprayers accomplish much good. Persistence in the application of a 



Figure 9. — Well-grown larva of the black carpet beetle. Ten times natural size. 



contact spray, in addition to the frequent cleaning of rugs on both 

 sides, will ultimately eliminate carpet beetles. 



Manipulation of carpeting. — Carpet beetle increase is aided by 

 carpeting that covers the entire floor. If the carpeting extends only 

 to within 12 to 18 inches of the walls, the edges can be cleaned fre- 



Figuhe 10. — View of the rear of a mantel, showing an accumulation of cast larval skins. 

 Carpet beetle larvae molt in protected places, sometimes, as in this case, where they 

 are out of reach of sprays. 



quently and the carpet beetle larvae removed in the cleaning process. 

 Carpets tacked down favor insect increase. Both sides of the edges 

 of carpeting should be vacuum-cleaned or swept frequently. Carpets 

 to be stored should be thoroughly cleaned on both sides, well covered 

 with flake naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, and rolled tightly. 

 It is better to wrap rug rolls well in unbroken paper extending over 



