help identifying larvae

mutron · #1 (**permalink**) 14-03-2011, 07:00 AM

i have these in my house, i thought they looked too big to be carpet beetle larvae

what do you guys think?

Wild-Woman · #2 (**permalink**) 14-03-2011, 07:54 AM

Quite centipede like aren't they? Think others will help you out with these when they are online.

Paul mabbott · #3 (**permalink**) 14-03-2011, 09:47 AM

.... but beetle larvae they are - I wouldn't want to be too specific given that it is trying to hide! The carpet looks like natural fibre?

mutron · #4 (**permalink**) 14-03-2011, 02:37 PM

thanx

i thought beetle larvae(would they be called mealworms?) as i had seen some beetles running around

is it normal to have beetles in a house?, how should i deal with them

thanx again

edit to add: not sure what the carpet is, im hoping its synthetic

theresa dockery · #5 (**permalink**) 14-03-2011, 03:21 PM

From the little I can see of them, I'd say Hide Beetle (Dermestes maculatus) larvae.

They feed on crumbs/detritus/organic fibres and are devils to get rid of (due to their ability to burrow underneath furniture, into crevices etc.

In one of my previous flats I learned to live with them (as I had pets and didn't fancy spraying chemicals everywhere). Frequent hoovering kept them at bay.

Paul mabbott · #6 (**permalink**) 14-03-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mutron

thanx

i thought beetle larvae(would they be called mealworms?) as i had seen some beetles running around

is it normal to have beetles in a house?, how should i deal with them

thanx again

edit to add: not sure what the carpet is, im hoping its synthetic

Mealworm beetles are quite large. A picture of whatever you have would be helpful!
All of these small household beetles are either detritivores, which are kept under control by cleaning (vacuuming and washing as appropriate), or wood-eaters - these can be a serious problem but are not usually found wandering the floors!