Identify the infestation

June 25, 2017 9:16 AM

We've got some sort of bug, or caterpillar, or pest in our house. But what is it? Photos inside.

In the house I rent (in the White Mountains, NH/ME border), we found evidence of some sort of infestation today. We have dresser drawers built into the eaves, and I found some evidence of nesting on our shirts. Took out the drawers, and tried to take photos of the area, and it looks like there's something up in there. But it's an area that's hard to access and see. All the photos are here. What do we have? (And how do we get rid of it?)

posted by .kobayashi. to Home & Garden (2 answers total)

That husk on the second picture looks to me like a carpet beetle larva. Here's some information on how to handle infestations; it looks like you'll need to clean thoroughly and apply pesticide. Your local cooperative extension has an Education/Info line and they can probably provide you more specific help.
posted by ourobouros at 9:27 AM on June 25, 2017

We got help in a similar situation from our city Health Department. Capture one of the beasties and put it in a plastic bag or glass bottle and take it in. Don't start shooting pesticide until you know what you are dealing with. Also, emphasis here, do not talk to exterminators until you know what you have. They are in business and will give the most expensive diagnosis.
posted by charlesminus at 5:52 PM on June 25, 2017