help me identify this please.

wanderer09 · #1 (**permalink**) 30-09-2009, 03:47 AM

hi all, the other day i was just changing bedding and i noticed one of these crawling around the mattress. upon further inspection i found a few knocking around the head end of the bed, i also found one on a ledge just above the bed.
please help me work out what it is and the best way to get rid

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar...ium/pic111.JPG

aeshna5 · #2 (**permalink**) 30-09-2009, 04:27 AM

Carpet Beetle larvae.

wanderer09 · #3 (**permalink**) 30-09-2009, 04:44 AM

are these hazardous to health, ive been itching lately, could it be these ? there seems to be quite a few on the floor around the edges of the room. ive picked up what i could, what are the recommended removal tips, i was thinking steam cleaning the area ive found them in, also vacumming

another thing i havent seen any of the adult carpet beetles, are these just better at hiding or do they fly off when fully grown

Wild-Woman · #4 (**permalink**) 30-09-2009, 05:10 AM

They don't bite or sting, so shouldn't do you any harm unless you are sensitive to their droppings if you are person who suffers from allergies of any kind. I suspect that most houses have had these at some point. They are very common.
It maybe a good idea to check out any areas where there may have been an old bird's nest eg loft, as this may be the source of your invasion.

wanderer09 · #5 (**permalink**) 30-09-2009, 05:43 AM

well they seem to be mostly found in the corner of the room where my bed is, i think it may be my flooring underlay they are feeding on. when i was fitting laminate flooring i ran out so didnt fit the flooring in one corner where my bed goes as it covered it up. all the ones i have found were on the underlay. i think i'll just have to hoover thoroughly and poss steam the areas i found them in.