h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I've seen a few of these in my house over the past couple of years. They're beetle-like insects about 3mm long by 2mm wide, and have a sort of dark brown and cream check pattern on their backs

https://www.flickr.com/photos/sashaq99/14091729765/

In particular, do I need to be worried?

It's a carpet beetle. They can cause some damage, so probably best to try and get rid.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varied_carpet_beetle

Do they only damage carpets, or is there other potential for harm?

Carpets and clothes are what they go for.

If you read some of the linked articles, it basically says you just need to hoover regularly and store your clothes where they can't get at them.

As for practical advice for carpet infestations, I did enjoy this piece of advice in http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/carpet-beetles-clothes-moths/carpet-beetles-clothes-moths.htm

"Sealing infested carpets or wool clothing in plastic bags and freezing them at -18°C for two weeks will kill all stages of insect life"

We're gonna need a bigger freezer...

Yeah, a carpet salesman once tried to sell us a bathroom carpet based on the fact that it was machine-washable. Like *anybody* is going to pull up a fitted carpet and stick it in the washing machine

Mol

Ah thanks everyone.

I see I've seen the larvae around as well - I disposed of some of them, but I'll definitely remove any others I see.

"We're gonna need a bigger freezer..."

Carpets are evil, I've only got two in the house left to get rid of is there any powder type kill them stuff one can get? (like for flees)

I've been buying new clothing this Spring. Most of it is synthetic. It would be a strange bug that could live on them!

I managed to eradicate them from the bathroom the other year, but now a pile have turned up in the lounge, so renewed vigilance is needed...

Maybe the lounge lizards will eat them.

Sadly there were too many for the lounge lizards to digest - I found a big group behind the TV unit today...

Should be much better from now on as I've removed such a large number this week. I will continue being vigilant, though, as I'd rather that didn't happen again

I had several woolly bears in my yard last Fall.

Carpet beetles. Shouldn't they be pets in a car such as a Volkswagen?