Pests and Nuisance

How to recognise if you have carpet beetles or clothes moths

The damage from these insects may appear very similar. Commonly it occurs in places where heavy units of furniture are moved infrequently for cleaning and when you vacuum these areas you may see large or small patches of carpet pile vanish into the vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, bare patches begin to appear at the skirting board where you would not expect wear. Small holes might start to appear in items of non-synthetic clothing that have not been worn in a while.

A close search of the areas may reveal 'hairy maggots' sometimes very similar in colour to the material affected, or small fragile caterpillars with a red brown head and possibly small white tubes of a similar size may be apparent.

In the first case the 'woolly bears' as they are commonly called, are the larvae of the carpet beetle. The others are clothes moth caterpillars.

What may cause an infestation?

Sudden severe infestation may arise from hidden infestations occurring in bird's nests in roof voids or in debris commonly found in sealed off fireplaces.

They may also occur where clothing has been worn and then put away without washing and left for long periods of time in wardrobes etc.

What treatment is available?

Pesticide use should be a last resort and may well be completely ineffective if the source of the problem is not removed or treated.

Ideally the following should be maintained to prevent infestations:

• All roof voids etc. should be kept free of bird's nests

• All fireplaces where sealed should have a removable vent to allow the clearing out of debris

• Clothing should be cleaned before long-term storage

• The vacuum cleaner is the surest and safest 'pesticide'

This authority offers a chargeable service for treatment of carpet beatles on both residential and commercial premises.

Psocids (commonly known as Booklice)

How to recognize psocids (pronounced sosids)

These are tiny grey or brown insects often found in dry food such as flour, sugar etc, which have been opened and left in a cupboard for some time.

What may cause an infestation?

Psocids due not occur as a result of dirty houses, they can be found in the cleanest of homes too. They breed in dark, warm, humid places such as the creases of food packaging in kitchen cupboards. Kitchen cupboards provide both the darkness and the humidity they thrive on.

What helps to prevent psocids?

If possible keep all dry food well ventilated or sealed in airtight containers. When cooking or washing ensure that the windows are open to allow the moisture to escape.

Clean your cupboards regularly; ensure they are free from scraps of food and that there is no moisture, both of which would aid the breeding of psocids. As the insects are so small they can survive in the smallest of cracks, the edges of the shelves can be painted with varnish to seal the gaps and prevent the psocids from breeding.

Vacuuming rather than washing cupboards can be more beneficial, always empty the vacuum bag into an outside bin afterwards.

What treatment is available?

Do not use insecticides to eradicate these insects; this may lead to contamination of other food substances in the vicinity. Throw any food you know to be contaminated in the outside bin, and then thoroughly clean the cupboards. If you are unsure if the foodstuffs are contaminated, place in a plastic bag in the deep freeze for 24 hours this will kill any remaining insects or eggs. All labels from containers should be removed to prevent any psocids hiding and breeding once the containers are replaced in the cupboard. If there are articles in the cupboard such as cookery books etc these can be placed in bags and then in the freezer to kill any remaining psocids.