Call us for a quote on +448081631487
Signs of a Fabric Pest Infestation
Once you know the signs to look for, it can be fairly simple to spot evidence of a textile or fabric pest infestation. Regular inspections and monitoring can help to identify a problem early to ensure fast and effective treatment. Taking immediate action can greatly reduce the risk of long term damage to sensitive items like woollen carpets, rugs, tapestries and textile items of historic and cultural significance.
Fabric Pest Signs
Apart from obvious damage to an item, other visible signs of a fabric pest infestation also exist. In general, the beetle larvae will tend to concentrate damage in one main area of an object whereas moth larvae will create more scattered areas of damage across the item.
Evidence of fabric pest activity:
-
Live or dead adult insects - such as varied carpet beetles, fur beetles or textile moths, often found gathered around window openings. These are an indication of a fabric pest infestation.
-
Damage - often caused to natural fabric items such as carpets, tapestries, rugs, leather book bindings, upholstered furniture, silks and feathered items. Check for signs of damage on pillows, mattresses, cushions and furniture with traditional fillings such as feathers or horse hair. Brushes and paint brushes made with natural bristles, and pads and felts in woodwind instruments (especially if stored for long periods of time) are also at risk.
-
Faeces and shed skin - carpet beetle larvae produce faecal pellets about the size of a salt grain and shed brown shell like cast skins. These will be concentrated in the source area of any infestation.
-
Larvae - fabric pest larvae prefer to hide in quiet, dark, undisturbed locations such as under large items of furniture (that are not often moved) or in wardrobes or closets. Carpet beetle larvae have alternate light and brown striped bodies and are covered with dense tufts of hair – giving them the nick name “woolly bears”.
-
Eggs - check for eggs of textile and fabric pests, as they are often laid in air ducts, cupboards, wardrobes, under furniture as well as on the affected textiles and fabrics.
Have you noticed these signs?
Call us now for fast treatment of textile and fabric pests.
Our knowledgeable, experienced technicians will identify the exact fabric pest causing the damage. Once we have established the extent of the infestation, advice on the most appropriate treatment for the textile or artefact will be offered.