Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Attagenus unicolor (F)

The black carpet beetle is a common carpet beetle in Pennsylvania. The larvae eat almost any type of animal product such as leather, wool, silk, feathers, hair, dried meat, dead insects, and even dried plant material. The black carpet beetle is a pest in kitchen cupboards, as well as in woolen carpets or clothes storage areas.

The adult is 2.8 to 5 mm long, black to reddish brown and covered with short, sparse pubescence (Fig. 1). The first segment of the tarsi of the hind legs is much shorter than the second segment. The last antennal segment of the male is twice as long as that of the female.

The larvae of the black carpet beetle, which may reach 12.7 mm in length, are very different from other carpet beetles larvae. They are elongate, carrot-shaped, golden to chocolate brown, and have a tuft of very long, curled, golden-brown hair at the tail end of their body.

Figure 1. Drawing of adult black carpet beetle

Female black carpet beetle --- Image by Steve Jacobs

Male black carpet beetle --- Image by Steve Jacobs

The small, pearly-white egg can be deposited in the lint around baseboards, in the ductwork of hot-air furnace systems, on wool clothing in storage, and in similar protected locations. The egg hatches in 6 to 11 days in warm weather, but may require an additional 5 to 16 days under cooler conditions.

The newly hatched larvae scavenge for food (they will eat dander, hair, and other small bits of food high in protein), avoid light, and move so slowly that they appear to be gliding. At room temperature, the larval life span ranges from 258 to 639 days. This variation is due largely to fluctuations in temperature, food quality, and relative humidity. The larvae may molt 5 to 11 times, and up to 20 times when conditions are unfavorable. The larval skins often are mistaken for the larvae themselves. The larvae pupate in the last larval skin, and the pupal period may extend from 6 to 24 days. The beetles may remain in the partially shed pupal skin from 2 to 20 days before emerging. Black carpet beetles usually overwinter in the larval stage.

Adults may live from 2 weeks to several months, but never damage household goods in this stage. Unlike the larvae, they are attracted to light. They are active and often can be found around windows and outdoors on flowers, eating the pollen. The females commence egg laying on the larval food materials or in dark secluded places less than one week after emergence. A female can lay from 42 to 114 eggs, and averages around 50; she generally dies a few days after oviposition.

The adults are attracted to flowers, and in the spring of the year they may fly into the house. The larvae may wander from the nest into the attic and other parts of the house. At times, birds and other animals die in chimneys and elsewhere in the house and their carcasses become a source of food for the larvae. Very often, the black carpet beetles are brought into the house with old woolens and carpeting. Sometimes the black carpet beetles are introduced into a dwelling in stored products such as dried dog food.

It is not uncommon to find one or two black carpet beetles in a house. An occasional black carpet beetle larva probably is not an indication of a serious problem; however, if you regularly encounter large numbers of larvae or adults, find the source of the infestation and institute the following control measures.

Successful control depends on locating the source of the infestation. It may be a woolen toy stored in the basement, soiled woolen socks in boots, a felt hat on a shelf, carcasses of birds or other animals, dead insects in walls or attic, bits of dried dog food, or similar materials. If you find the infested material, either clean it or destroy the item.

Where the beetles are widespread and no point source of infestation is found, you may apply one of the various insecticides and chemical formulations that are available for carpet beetle control. Diatomaceous earth and silica aerogel that cause insects to lose moisture are known as desiccants. Apply them as a dust to cracks and crevices or inject them into wall voids. They are only effective if they remain dry, and work best where water sources are eliminated or reduced. You can apply synthetic pyrethroids such as deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, sumithrin, or tralomethrin to cracks as a water-based spray. When injected into dark crevices, the materials have a longer period of efficacy because they are not in direct sunlight. Crevices where lint, hair, and food particles have accumulated are places likely to be infested by carpet beetles.

Pesticides are poisonous. Please read and follow the directions and safety precautions on the labels. Handle them carefully and store them in their original labeled containers out of the reach of children, pets, and livestock. Dispose of the empty containers right away, in a safe manner and place. Do not contaminate forage, streams, and ponds.

Authored by: Steve Jacobs, Sr. Extension Associate Updated April 2002 Revised January 2013

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Black Carpet Beetle Department of Entomology Penn ...

Are you planning to extend your home or build a new one? Or perhaps your business premises need development?

Whatever your architectural needs are, our professional services will ensure that you get the best value for money without compromising on quality.

Our architectural work encompasses new builds, extensions, conversions, refurbishments, listed building work using innovative or traditional materials and techniques, for both residential and commercial premises.

Through initial consultation we will develop your ideas and combine our architectural expertise to produce a feasible design. Using our innovation we ensure that designs are functional for the application and effectively blend the styling, environment and usage. We will find the extra light and space you didn't know you had, suggest materials you hadn't thought of and can, if required guide you to the right builder at a fair price. Through our vast experience we also offer a 'trouble shooting' service to provide solutions to any problems that may arise.

Stephen Moore Architectural Services will guide you through the complex procedures of planning permission and building regulations. We can monitor the builder's programme of works through to completion if required.

If your address is within 15 miles radius of our office in Costessey, Norwich the first hour is for free! A fully comprehensive service for a fixed fee. We're the only call you need to make.

Anyone having construction or building work carried out has legal duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015).

Not all schemes require planning permission but it is recommended that an approach is made to the local authority whilst new building work must be completed to building regulations statutory standards.

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Find a Heating & Cooling Specialist by Postcode

Browse Members by Specialisations

The most important component of your Heating, Cooling and Ventilation System is the Professional you choose.

If you have been researching your heating and cooling options for your home, you'll probably have realised there's a lot of things to think about.

Truth is every home is different and there's no real "off the shelf" solutions and you don't want to make a costly mistake.

That's why it's always best to have a qualified professional heating & cooling specialist come to your house and give you free advice and a tailored quotation.

HCAA members design, install, maintain and service heating, air-conditioning, evaporative cooling or ventilation systems and can help you choose an efficient, cost effective system that will be the best solution across the life of your home.

You can download our Guide to System Selection or contact one our specialists listed above.

Members of the HCAA are specialists who have agreed to work to industry standards and abide by a code of ethics. These standards are your assurance of a professional approach to every phase of your job, whatever the size.

All members are also members of The Master Plumbers' & Mechanical Services Association of Australia which is the umbrella association for all segments of the plumbing industry.

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Cabinet Refacing

The Cabinet Doctors offers quality cabinet refacing services throughout the greater Sacramento Area. With cabinet refacing you can have the dream kitchen you have always wanted, promptly and with minimal cost. Refacing saves you about approximately 40% off the cost of replacing your cabinets. The refacing process gives you a whole new look. Contact one of our design specialists today, for an Estimate.

Cabinet Refacing is an efficient way to update the look of your kitchen. Your refacing project is complete in 1-3 days (based on the size of your kitchen or bath).

1. We remove your old doors and drawer fronts.

2. We prepare your cabinets for the refacing material.

3. We reface by placing a real wood veneer over the existing exposed areas of your cabinets, including the fronts, exposed ends, backs of islands, or peninsulas, and bottoms of upper cabinets. (Painted reface is a different process).

4. Lastly, we install new doors with hidden hinges, new drawer fronts, new crown molding, and new dovetail drawers and roll out shelves, if desired.

Our refacing services can also be combined with other kitchen remodeling, or bath remodeling services such as: additional cabinets, modifications of cabinets, countertops, custom tile back splashes, new lighting, flooring, etc.

Your Cabinet Doctors Custom Refacing Project Includes:

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Cabinet Refacing Sacramento - The Cabinet Doctors

Committed

uncompromising

SATISFACTION

to providing

QUALITY and

Design and build

the kitchen of

your DREAMS

If you have been considering a kitchen remodel and dont know where to start, Brothers Services has the expertise to guide you through the process to design and build the kitchen of your dreams. Your kitchen is the heart of your home where you spend more family time than any other room. Brothers Services will help you design and remodel your kitchen with high quality products, installed by experienced and knowledgeable craftsmen, and supervised by project managers working with professional plans drawn by our own kitchen design team. We let you see and walk through your kitchen before you decide on the final layout, so you can make any changes before the work starts.

Compare costs ofremodeling projects in Baltimore, MD with the value those projects retain at resale. According to the report, minor kitchen remodeling costs average $19,106 with $13,529 recouped at resale;major kitchen remodeling costs average $56,396 with $38,018 recouped at resale.

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Kitchen Remodeling Contractor in Baltimore, Maryland ...

When it comes to kitchen remodeling, its hard to trust just anyone. Your kitchen is the life of your home, and no room in your house requires more attention to detail than the place where you gather with loved ones, enjoy refreshments, and prepare family meals. When seeking out the perfect kitchen remodeling contractor, trust the professionals at Reborn Cabinets to transform your kitchen into your own personal culinary oasis. We have been a family-owned and -operated business since day one back in 1983, and we have expertly remodeled thousands upon thousands of kitchens along the way with stunning results.

Though our name is Reborn Cabinets, we are a full-service home remodeling company. This means Reborns staff and enormous manufacturing facility can accomplish virtually everything a kitchen remodeling project requires. Make sure to ask us about The Ultimate Remodeling Experience, which includes the following and much more:

Kitchen design consultation with one of our certified kitchen designers Custom-built newkitchen cabinetryor Vianvi Signature Cabinet Refacing Backsplashes Stone countertops Sinks, faucets, and plumbing Islands Flooring in tile, laminate, and more Lighting and all your electrical needs

When you choose Reborn Cabinets for your kitchen remodeling project, we will work with you each step of the way. From visiting your home to take precise measurements to updating you on specifics, we will be beside you from beginning to end. We are committed to customer satisfaction, and we make it our mission to turn your kitchen into the one youve always wanted. We even have financing available to help turn your dreams of a new kitchen into a reality.

If you would like to find out more about kitchen remodeling from Reborn Cabinets, please contact us by e-mail, stop by our 40,000-square-foot showroom and manufacturing facility in Anaheim, or give us a call at 1-877-371-4943. We would be glad to give a tour to residents of Mission Viejo, Yorba Linda, Placentia, Orange County, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley, Brea, Laguna Niguel, Huntington Beach, and other surrounding communities and show you firsthand how Reborn Cabinets can transform your southern California kitchen.

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Kitchen Remodeling - Reborn Cabinets

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A fabulous kitchen begins with artistic vision and space planning knowledge. The choices for materials and amenities that will complete your kitchen are virtually limitless but the foresight to match the right products for functional, aesthetic and budgetary purposes is critical. You need a master plan, and Normandy is the master kitchen planner to help you with your kitchen design and remodel in Chicago.

Once your kitchen profile is determined, its on to the layout and selection process. There is much to consider. Will a new kitchen design provide better working space or do walls need to be opened to provide more room? What is the best placement for cabinetry, appliances and islands so they create an easy flow for usage and accessibility? What type and finish of cabinetry and doors will work well in your home to create that special look? What built in storage compartments and accessories should be considered and in which cabinets should they be placed?

Think about countertop options: do you prefer quartz, marble, stainless steel, wood, ceramic, or granite? What would work best for your particular style of cooking and entertaining? There are patterns, solids, and stains to choose from, but this choice is also dependent on your choice of backsplash, wall covering and flooring patterns and colors.

There is a multitude of faucet and sink options to choose from as well as an incredible array of kitchen appliances. What types of lighting do you need and where is the best placement? Flooring can vary depending on kitchen traffic: would ceramic, wood, stone, granite or marble be your best option for appearance, durability and comfort? And there is so much more to consider and decide, but with the expert help of your Normandy Chicago home design team, the selection process will be truly enjoyable and your completed kitchen magnificent.

Your Normandy kitchen designer will guide you through this entire planning process to inform you what products are available, explain the differences and benefits, and recommend which materials would work best for you based on your tastes, needs, and budget. We invest our expertise, knowledge and reputation in working with you so the investment you make in your kitchen exceeds your expectations and satisfies all your cooking and entertaining needs. Suburban homeowners have been calling Normandy for over thirty years for their Chicagoland kitchen remodeling projects. Explore your fabulous kitchen options today by calling Normandy for a free in-home design consultation.

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Kitchen Remodeling, Renovation & Designers in Chicago with ...

Complete Kitchen Remodeling Services for Homeowners Across the Country

No matter how big or small your kitchen remodeling plans are, the experts at House Doctors can provide trustworthy information, advice, and service to ensure you end up with the kitchen youve always envisioned. Whether youd like something simple such as upgraded flooring, countertops, or cabinets, or your desired project is more involved and includes a total redesign of your space, the highly trained technicians at your local House Doctors franchise have the required experience and expertise to undertake the job. Thats because House Doctors has built its reputation on making home improvement easier for homeowners nationwide by providing excellent repair, replacement, and remodeling services for our growing list of satisfied customers.

Before your kitchen remodeling project begins, a House Doctors estimator will sit down with you to assess your needs and determine the available options. We will provide a complete breakdown of the products and services your job requires as well as an accurate timeline for its completion. Once the plan is laid out and you feel comfortable with the scope and direction of the project, we will begin the kitchen remodeling process.

The kitchen remodeling professionals at your local House Doctors franchise are experienced in completing a wide array of projects, including:

At House Doctors, we treat your home like our home, so you can rest assured that we will dedicate ourselves to ensuring you are fully satisfied with our work. We also proudly offer a one-year labor warranty on every task we perform, providing you the peace of mind that comes from knowing your home remodeling investment is protected.

If you would like more information on kitchen remodeling services from House Doctors, contact us today to find a franchise near you.

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Kitchen Remodeling - House Doctors

In many homes, the kitchen is often a center of activity, and it is important to consider your needs and those of your family's while designing your new kitchen. Kitchen cabinets, countertops, flooring, and major appliances are four key components of a kitchen design. The integration of these four components with a well-designed work flow will go a long way toward ensuring a successful kitchen remodeling project. It is helpful to develop a master plan before starting such a major undertaking. This plan is often arrived at with the help of an architect, interior decorator, and contractor if one is used. Having a plan helps you to work within your budget and balance the costs of construction materials, cabinetry, appliances, and labor.

The five basic kitchen layouts are one-wall, galley, L-shaped, U-shaped, and wraparound. The size of your kitchen and its traffic patterns, as well as the way your family uses the kitchen, can often dictate its general layout. Window locations and ventilation factors can also influence the kitchen sink and major appliance locations as well as the placement of cabinets and work surfaces. It is also important to do research into the details such as electrical line routing, water pipes, drains, vent flues, and so on. The placement of these utility lines can be a major consideration in the construction and costs associated with a kitchen construction project.

Research and select quality appliances and materials that will fit in with your kitchen plan. Appliance size, style, function, and value are all of prime consideration. When looking for a dishwasher, it is important to look for brands with low energy consumption, a delay timer, and an economy cycle, as this will cut down on water usage. When buying a new refrigerator, it is worth paying for one designed to prevent frost build-up by circulating air inside the freezer compartment. Materials for sinks include scratch-resistant stainless steel as well as solid surface, enameled cast iron, and acrylic. You may choose to install a multi-functional oven or a range that can be free-standing or built-in. Cabinet options include solid wood or wood veneers laminated onto plywood or particle board; cabinets can be finished by staining, distressing, bleaching, or simply painting them to match your kitchen. They can even be custom-fitted with glass doors and special hardware. There are several countertop surfaces to choose from, the most common being plastic laminate and solid surface, with granite being a step up in price. Flooring options can range from expensive (but classy) tile or stone to various grades of vinyl and linoleum, which are cheaper.

With the right plan and research, you should be able to build a kitchen that adds to the value of your home, brings years of enjoyment and good use, and is a great place to hang out with family and friends.

For an inspiring example of the kitchen remodeling process, browse through these kitchen remodeling pictures. On this website, you will find a photo diary, detailing how an early 1960s kitchen was transformed into a modern, luxurious kitchen with granite countertops, refaced kitchen cabinets, a ceiling fan, and new kitchen appliances.

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Kitchen Remodeling - Kitchen Design and Construction

Kitchen remodeling is one of the best ways to increase the value of your home and make this common gathering place more functional, efficient and beautiful. Though kitchen remodeling can carry a large price tag, it is more useful to think about the new design as an investment rather than just a cost. The cost of remodeling your kitchen can vary according to a number of different factors. From the size of the kitchen to the complexity of the job and the particulars of your design choice, the cost of the kitchen remodeling project is an area that must be considered carefully. You will want to decide on a budget and stick with it when working with your kitchen remodeling contractor.

In addition to planning a budget, finding a professional kitchen remodeling contractor is crucial to the success of your designs, remodel or renovation. A quality contractor will guide homeowners through each step of the kitchen remodeling project from your rough ideas and general concepts for designs until the renovation is complete. Finding a great local contractor makes design easy and fun. You will want a contractor you can count to give you helpful advice and show you different options at your price points. This will help you make an informed decision so you can have success with your designs, ideas and plans.

Finding a quality contractor for your kitchen remodeling project is simple with this user friendly website. Simply enter your basic information above and you will be contacted by professional contractors. They will meet with you to discuss your ideas and budget, design plans and cost, and give you an estimate for your kitchen remodeling project. After meeting with multiple contractors, simply consider who will best meet your needs and choose to work with them. Its that easy. Just fill in the short form above and youll be one step closer to the new space youve been waiting for!

Whether your budget is big or small, it is important to stay within your limits so when your kitchen remodeling project complete, it is something you can enjoy rather than worry about the final price tag for your new designs. You can avoid going beyond what you can afford by careful planning and sticking to this plan. Start by making a priority list for your designs, which will often include the things about your kitchen that make you absolutely crazy. Maybe its the color of the cabinets and countertops or the faucets, sink and appliances are outdated. Perhaps your countertops dont give you enough space to cook or your cupboards dont have enough storage. Maybe you've always dreamed of a gourmet cooking space with a kitchen island or deep sinks? By making a priority list or a "must have" list, you can ensure these key items in your designs are completed if the costs of your kitchen remodeling project are higher than you planned and your budget doesnt allow for everything you want.

Start a folder of kitchen remodeling designs and ideas. You can get design ideas for your kitchen remodeling project by looking at photos or pictures in magazines, visiting home design or decoration stores, and looking for inspiration for designs in other areas. When you see a photo you love, cut it out and place it in your folder. If you are inspired by the color of your favorite sweater or by an Italian statue, write this down and keep it in mind. Soon, you will see a pattern develop and you will know just what you want the outcome of your kitchen remodeling project to be when the designs are complete.

There are no cost constraints when you are coming up with design ideas for your remodel or renovation. If there are custom cabinets or expensive countertops you are interested in, thats just fine. Place these on your priority list in the appropriate place. When it is time to budget, you can look for comparable, more affordable, items that will give your kitchen designs the overall look and feel you want without the high costs. When you shop around, you will likely find appliances, accessories and furniture that are comparable to what your originally wanted but more affordable.

A contractor will have countless kitchen remodeling designs, ideas and options to choose from. They will be able to offer you alternatives to stay within budget and review a wide variety of products to complete your room remodel to perfection. Simply fill in the short form above and you will be contacted by professional contractors who will give you free estimates and help make your kitchen remodeling dream become a reality.

This leads to the next critical element of any kitchen remodeling project. The choice of a contractor is important whether the renovation or remodeling is big or small. A quality contractor will take as much of the burden off of the homeowner as possible and will work to make the remodel run smoothly from the beginning to when the renovation is complete. If you are having trouble getting your designs just the way you want them. your kitchen remodeling contractor will spend the extra time necessary to go over your options based on your cost structure and price points. They will give you a cost estimate for each of your designs so you can choose the option that is right for you.

Many consumers are unsure how much it will cost for a remodel and what kind of price tag each item will carry. You can easily get an idea of costs by getting multiple estimates from contractors and comparing prices. You can gain valuable ideas on designs and compare the services of each contractor. Then, simply choose the contractor that can best meet your specific needs. The quickest and easiest way to find the best value is to compare multiple estimates from contractors.

Effective kitchen remodeling consultants will do more than just discuss price and the cost. They will listen to what your needs are and come up with unique design solutions. Kitchen remodeling design involves not just going over different looks for cabinets and countertops, but also trying to come up with a unified kitchen style that reflects your taste and your goals for function. Putting together a kitchen remodeling plan that is beautiful but lacks usable storage space for your pots and pans, for example, has seriously flawed designs. The contractor and the customer have to work together on their kitchen remodeling plan to decide on an ideal design that combines function with aesthetics. When your kitchen remodeling project is complete, you will be able to enjoy a more efficient and functional space that is equally pleasing to the eye.

The cost of a kitchen remodeling project is effected by many different factors. No two kitchens are identical nor are the needs of their owners. So every remodeling job is essentially one of a kind in nature. There are many details to attend to and many different thoughts to consider. For example, on top of form and beauty, you have to think about resale. What's perfect for you may not be for the next family. The specifics of design such as the coordination of the colors and materials of the countertops, cabinets, paint and flooring all need to be looked at with at least some thought down the road.

Whether you are interested in a modern or a classic design, consider what is cost effective to replace and what has a more expensive price. For example, if you want a wild paint color or some contemporary curtains, that is must cheaper to change than if you want a bold tile floor or unusual colored appliances. This has more or less importance depending on your plans. If you are primarily interested in a remodeling your kitchen for resale, than you will want to choose neutral and basic colors and design elements. If you plan to stay in your home for many years to come and simply want your kitchen remodel to meet your specific needs and style, than go ahead and lay those purple floor tiles that you love.

Kitchen remodeling may seem like a daunting and time consuming task when you first get started with the design and plans. By working with a kitchen remodeling contractor, this process will be much smoother and more cost effective. Keep the end goal in mind. Remember that putting in extra effort and dealing with inconveniences for a short period of time during your remodel and renovation will pay off with a functional and beautiful kitchen for years to come.

Take the first step towards your new kitchen by filling out the short form to get your a free estimate. It is quick and easy to get started. Simply enter your basic information and youll be contacted by professional contractors ready to complete your kitchen remodeling project. Youll get additional ideas on designs and plans, learn about the price and get tips on how to find more cost effective solutions. By working with a kitchen remodeling contractor youll be sure to get the ideal kitchen to meet your specific needs and style. Get started by getting your free estimates today!

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Kitchen Remodeling - Compare Designs, Ideas & Local Estimates