Identify the insect?

Bazza-spark said:
Agreed, carpet beetle. This is an American site but

https://thrasherpestcontrol.com/tiny-fuzzy-bugs-on-walls-carpet-beetles-on-the-climb/
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Yes definitely carpet beetle. Found on wall heading towards window sill. Yesterday I cleaned inside windows, rolled carpet back a little to lay some cable underneath. It's an 80% wool carpet, so the natural fibre these things like. Took the opportunity to give everywhere a good vacuum. Probably disturbed it and it was out looking for food.

I have seen the odd one occasionally so hope it's a minor problem. The article you linked is useful thanks. I'll do more research. I've got pest infestation on an emergency home policy but would have to see if this particular one is covered (if need be).

Should I spray the carpet with anything?
 
Ant powder on the carpet will do the job, use it as you would 'Shake and Vac'. Most insecticides contain the same stuff, a nerve agent that in small doses is 'safe' for humans so don't be too liberal with the powder. It will kill all of the other bugs in the carpet.
 
Ant powder on your carpet sounds like a bad idea to me. Might well kill off all the bugs but won't do much for your health either, these are very toxic chemicals and can be very dangerous used in the wrong way.

We share our homes with a multitude of insects soms of which are barely visible. Finding a single bug isn't something I'd worry about..... possibly steam clean your carpets and give them a good hoover....

A bit of research as well on the bug might reveal other ways to make the environment less attractive to said pest. In Ireland where I'm from clove oil is used as a natural deterrent for all many of bugs...from flour mites, mould and carpet beetles.....mix bicarbonate of soda with clove oil and sprinkle on the carpet and then Hoover
 
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Ant powder is only as toxic as fly spray. They have a very neat way of keeping the bugs down in hotel rooms in Florida, they turn the air con to it's coldest setting. It's like waking into a fridge when you get back to your room.
 
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Bazza-spark said:
I had a problem with silverfish when we moved in and I used Dethlac spray. Took a while but it shifted them. It forms a barrier that lasts for a few weeks. If you get it where it shouldn't be, clean it off with meths.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=dethlac+spray
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Bought this product from screwfix. It's been sitting here menacingly since last week. The reviews said it deals with carpet beetle.

Hesitated using it as will need to open windows. News item last week about couple killed when adjoining hotel room was sealed off and fumigated. Seems they forgot to seal the linking door.

Will have to proceed with great caution.
 
The amount of pesticide used in the holiday tragedy would have far exceeded the contents and harmful effects of an off the shelf aerosol container. These are everyday bugs so don't over worry. ;)

If you really are concerned phone Rentokil and seek advice.
 
Astramax said:
The amount of pesticide used in the holiday tragedy would have far exceeded the contents and harmful effects of an off the shelf aerosol container. These are everyday bugs so don't over worry. ;)

If you really are concerned phone Rentokil and seek advice.
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Not concerned just cautiously picking the right time. Haven't seen any more this week though.
 
goldwise said:
View attachment 93134
Bought this product from screwfix. It's been sitting here menacingly since last week. The reviews said it deals with carpet beetle.

Hesitated using it as will need to open windows. News item last week about couple killed when adjoining hotel room was sealed off and fumigated. Seems they forgot to seal the linking door.

Will have to proceed with great caution.
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Pop a pair of nitrile gloves on, FP3 mask and open windows until the fumes have cleared.

It is intended for public use in the home so won't be too strong. Even the Dethlac stinks and makes me cough without a mask.
 
goldwise said:
View attachment 93134
Will have to proceed with great caution.
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Instructions:

Shake the can well before use. Use thumb to push up trigger lock and squeeze trigger to spray. Spray lightly from a distance of 20-25cm. A 5 second burst will treat 5 square metres. Once treated leave the surface to dry. The treatment gives lasting protection, providing the area is not exposed to direct sunlight. Re-treat as required. Do not apply the spray directly to clothes or bedding. Ideal for use around the home including most fabrics. Always test on an inconspicuous area prior to use. Avoid spraying plastics or polished surfaces.

FAQ:

What are the ingredients?
Contains Tetramethrin 0.2% w/w, Permethrin 0.2% w/w and Piperonyl Butoxide 1.02% w/w.

What does w/w mean?
Weight for weight which indicates the proportion of the active substance in the product by weight.

Will this stain my furniture?
It is always best to test on a small inconspicuous area first before applying to large areas.

Can I spray onto bedding or clothes?
Do not apply the spray directly to clothes or bedding.

Is it safe to use around pets?
Animals should not be present when the spray is in use and should be kept away. Not to be used on pet bedding, sleeping areas or where pets frequently lie. The chemicals contained are very toxic to aquatic life. Cover all fish tanks and bowls before use.

How does the trigger work?
Use thumb to push up trigger lock and squeeze trigger to spray.



Just don't go bonkers with it and spray it on people/pets/fishtanks and make sure it dries before you use the room, which if used as per instructions won't be long.
 
interestingly most insecticides for home and garden use contain 0.5% permethrin. An example is Nippon woodlouse killer which is effective against ants, silverfish, carpet beetle and other crawling insects. This is sold in 150gm containers. The LD50 for permethrin is 430mg per kg of body weight. That is the amount which would have to be eaten before it killed 50% of the population, which is a measure commonly used when evaluating toxicity via dare I say experiments on rats and mice. Hence extrapolating this, the 150gm container effectively contains 0.5 by 150 divided by 100 which equals 0.75gm neat permethrin. Now multiplying up the mammalian toxicity to humans, say an adult weighs 70kg, then an adult would have to eat 70 times 430mg, ie 30gm of the active ingredient which is approximately 40 containers full to reach the LD50. Exposing yourself to less may still make you very ill. and don't try this at home!!

This is just to illustrate with careful handling, gloves and all other precautions as per the manufacturer's instructions permethrin should be low risk and nothing to lose sleep over, again if used correctly.
 
You are confusing lethal toxicity with simply toxic. These chemicals often stay with the body for years and some indefinitely because they get into the endocrine system. They are called forever chemicals for good reason.

Carpet beetles are a pest but in order for pests to thrive conditions must be right. I found weavils in some kitchen cupboards once and it was simply a bag of flour... unfortunately I had to throw out a lot of stuff but it stopped them coming back

I don't use fly spray and simply use orange oil and it keeps fly's out. Occasionally I will resort to chemicals...black mould for example but I'll certainly be dealing with the cause as well.
 
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