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Pest guide

Varied carpet beetle

Anthrenus verbasci

Do you need a pest-control professional?

It depends

Whether professional treatment is needed depends on the extent and circumstances. Possible response: Inspect textiles, clean and treat as needed.

Potential harm

Larvae feed on wool, carpets and fur

What to expect

Possible response: Inspect textiles, clean and treat as needed. If you are unsure of the species, call and describe what you found before deciding what to do.

Not sure? Call and describe it. Identification by phone is free.

Illustration: Varied carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci), whole animal on a light background.
Anthrenus verbasci (Varied carpet beetle)Based on a photo by: Erling Ólafsson, Náttúrufræðistofnun Íslands

About this species

This entry covers Varied carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci). Typical location: Carpets and woollen goods. Potential harm: Larvae feed on wool, carpets and fur. Possible response: Inspect textiles, clean and treat as needed.

Facts

Latin name
Anthrenus verbasci
English name
Varied carpet beetle
Preferred conditions
Carpets and woollen goods
Life cycle
Larval development often takes many months, adults live a few weeks

Response and treatment

Inspect textiles, clean and treat as needed

Treatment depends on the species, extent and circumstances. Products are not always needed. Any products used are permitted for the intended use in Iceland. Follow their instructions and the pest-control professional’s guidance.

Do you have an unwelcome visitor?

Call and describe it. Advice is free, and one phone call often solves the problem.