Carpet Beetle control

[dba]

Hi. I was maddened to find a hole in the sleeve of one of my suits yesterday. I was pretty sure it was not a moth as I am in Nevada which is pretty dry climate and haven't seen any moths here. And it also lacked the telltale crispiness of a cigarette burn. I searched around and sure enough found the culprit on the floor right below. My research of this site tells me it is the carapice of a carpet beetle larvae.

So my question is does anyone know of a method to prevent this from happening again? I have seen lots of recommendation for moth control but wasn't sure if these products might also control this beetle. I have seen several in my apt. before but didn't really think anything about them. Didn't know what they were nor that they had a penchant for fine tailoring.

Also, if anyone could recommend a tailor in either Reno or Las Vegas that does re-weaving I would be much obliged. of all the suits, it had to chomp on the glen plaid!

 

[sho'nuff]

vacuum and keep clean. infestations of carpet beetles thrive on old skin cells, food, and hairs left on the floor in undisturbed places like corners of your room behind the bed frame, left undisturbed, dark areas on the floor of your closet, clothing left laying around untouched, etc. vacuum frequently and brush your clothes with a clothesbrush every time before you put it back into your closet to hang. and move the clothes around. dont let it sit in one spot for weeks at a time.

 

[dba]

Yeah it's unfortunate. After I posted I went back in there and found a live larvae by the baseboard and a dead adult. I called my leasing office and they are sending an exterminator over tomorrow to spray. Your advice makes sense though. The last tenant left a lot of cat hair or some kinda hair all over the place and it's in the nooks and crannies. I rarely every vaccumed in teh closet but will now. and will start brushing as well. The suit had been sitting idle in the same place for several months however I was suprised the damage was on the sleeve facing outward and not the sleeve adjacent to the wall.

Is it true light bothers them? I was planning to leave the light on tonight until the exterminator visits tomorrow.

 

[sho'nuff]

The advice for against beetles is same for moths and they advise lot of sunlight or artificial light in areas where clothes are.. not constantly, but regularly, like when you open a closet door it is subject to a well lighted room or such. But I don't really know if light bothers carpet beetles per se.

Always make sure you brush clean off all clothes before hanging back in closet especially densely packed closets as the tight spaces in between left undisturbed are great places for larvae to thrive

I always hang my coat, sweater, shirt or pants up on a clothes rack that resides outside of the bedroom near a window so that there's a chance for all humidity to evaporate, smells to escape, and minute amounts of wet stains or liquids residing on clothes to dry (you eat dinner and although you don't see it, there are microscopic stains left by talking, sizzling food, hot foods, on clothes especially like korean bbq places and such, etc).
Let these things dry,escape, overnight and them give them a quick gentle brush, which will dislodge these things better when dried and prevents moisture put into closet too quickly from being trapped in the densely packed clothes, making it an enjoyable residence for larvae when left undisturbed.