Can anyone identify this critter?

itm2

We've been discovering alot of caterpillar-like critters in our lounge in the last couple of weeks (see photo). They are a little more than 1cm long. Most of them have been crawling on our coffee table, which is quite a large unit with drawers, but we can't work out where they are coming from. They really do seem to appear out of nowhere. We've also noticed that a section of our carpet has been completely eaten away underneath our sofa. Does anyone know what these are, and how to get rid of them?

adonis

It looks like the larvae from the common clothes moth.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tineola_bisselliella

mrsS_2

if your carpets have a high wool content then they are probably carpet moths.  You will find lots of white thread like pupae behind the sofas and in corners where you find it difficult to clean.   These then hatch fly round the room , lay more eggs and eat more of your carpet.  You can buy sprays and powders to kill them but the best prevention is to vacuum under all your furniture every week.  I know this isn’t always possible and they do hide on the underside of cabinets and things. Not just under your sofa. I’ve had them and got a pest controller in to treat the whole house. Which was expensive and didn’t really solve the problem. Only real cure is man made fibre carpet   I’m sure a pest control expert will be on to advise. 

itm2

Yes there are alot of those threads behind our sofa. Unfortunately it's a big (5m?), heavy L-shaped sofa, up against the wall, and is very difficult to move.
I think they are also under the coffee table, as you say. For now I think we'll get some of this and treat the carpet (and maybe underneath the coffee table):
https://www.screwfix.com/p/zero-in-ultra-power-pest-killer-600ml/425HV?tc=LB5&ds_kid=92700046638549236&ds_rl=1243318&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1245250&gclid=CjwKCAjwz6_8BRBkEiwA3p02VQaJuV23xgkEPzlf9_8Eky7Gz81abbeQ05haCGAlB1RzdlmakcC7BxoCQ6sQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
 

mrsS_2

I know there is stuff specially designed for carpet moths. And you can also buy sticky traps that use pheromones to catch the adults which stops them laying eggs and so breaks the cycle.  Hopefully the stuff you have bought does the trick 

[Deleted User]

Moth balls, containing napthalene, are quick and simple at keeping these (and silverfish) at bay, i use them a lot.
@itm2 check your clothes because you might find that your wool knitwear has been affected in drawers and wardrobes - different moth but same habits.

Danny30

I also had this issue. I bought this spray for the carpets and it worked very well in keeping them away. 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rugremedy-UK-Ltd-Carpet-delivery/dp/B07BL4TNXK/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=Rugremedy+UK+Ltd&qid=1603087827&s=outdoors&search-type=ss&sr=1-5

NeverTooLate

If you can get hold of a steam cleaner, do the whole of the carpet with that paying special attention to the edges and areas usually under furniture. Then give it all a good spray with the chemicals.

I managed to get rid of them in a lounge carpet, but it took more than one go.

Good luck!

Mistral001

I had a severe moth larvae infestation in one my bedrooms a few years ago.  I found that several passes of the  vacuum cleaner set on the high setting  solved the problem without having to resort to insecticides.