How to identify a carpet beetle infestation
What is the damage carpet beetles can cause? If enough occurs to cause an infestation, it can do a lot of damage.
You can let carpet beetles in through small cracks and openings around your doors. They love light, so you will see them flying around and crawling around windows and doors.
The carpet beetle larvae are dark brown to black and covered with hairs. They prefer areas that are darkened or lacking light.
It takes over a year for the larvae to mature into adults. Carpet beetles can lay additional eggs once they are mature to continue the infestation cycle.
Carpet Beetles Can Cause Damage
The carpet beetle larvae are hungry and can destroy carpets, couches, and chairs. They can infest your bedding and spread to your curtains and clothing. They can infest your home by leaving marks on your carpets, causing holes in your dress, and causing tiny holes in your library’s books.
Carpet Beetles: How to Get Rid Of Them Using Chemicals
The best defense against carpet beetles is a good offense. These pests can be eliminated by thorough and intensive cleaning and by using insecticides for prevention.
Vacuum all carpets, floors, and areas around windowsills where carpet beetles may be found. Use a steamer to clean the places you have vacuumed.
A powerful insecticide can kill carpet beetles and their larvae. You should use one that contains cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, and bifenthrin. To test for staining, apply the insecticide to a small area that is not easily seen.
Boric acid, a mild insecticide, can be fatal to carpet beetles. Apply a light coat to your carpets, rugs, and furniture. Next, use a brush or broom to distribute the product evenly. Let it dry for at least two hours before vacuuming the area. Children and pets should not come in direct contact with areas treated with insecticide.
Rub alcohol can be used to clean counters, windowsills, and shelves. Carpet beetles won’t lay eggs near alcohol. The eggs and larvae can also be killed by a cleaning solution containing one part bleach and three portions of water.
A flying insect fogger can control carpet beetles. Foggers don’t affect the eggs but target the insects that lay them. A fogger that leaves no residue on carpets or furniture should be non-residual. If you use a fogger, ensure that pets and children are away. Keep a bottle of insect killer sprays handy for those who get away.
Carpet beetles can become a problem if they are removed slowly. Consider calling an exterminator if the carpet beetles are a problem.
How to get rid of carpet beetles naturally
To get rid of carpet beetles in your home, there are household-friendly organic pest management methods.
Essential oils can be used as natural deterrents. A natural barrier for carpet beetles is peppermint oil or clove oil, diluted in distilled water. Spray it on areas that you suspect may be affected by larvae or beetles. The majority of essential oils used to repel carpet beetles won’t stain or cause damage to carpets and furniture. However, dark colors like jasmine or yellowish oils such as patchouli and Tangerine can leave marks.
Vinegar repels carpet bumble beetles. They hate it. To clean carpet beetle larvae-infested areas, mix water, and apple cider vinegar.
Diatomaceous earth (or DE) is another natural deterrent. It’s fine, white dust. The dust is found on the earth’s surface and kills carpet beetles as well as larvae. Food-grade DE is considered safe and low in crystal silica.
How to keep carpet beetles away from returning
Carpet beetles are spring pests. You now know how to remove carpet beetles from your home.
Carpet beetle larvae are particularly attracted to clothing you keep in storage. Use hot water and detergent to wash your pillows, towels, and clothing. To deter carpet beetles larvae, add strips of cedar to storage containers.
Use an insecticide like insect killer Granules to protect your home’s perimeter.
Carpet beetles and other unwelcome insects can easily get into your home through holes or tears in your window screens. To prevent the insects from entering your home, you can either repair the holes or purchase new screens.
Carpet beetles can be annoying pests. Carpet beetles can infest area rugs made from natural fibers and your clothing. You can combat an infestation by these insects with a few DIY projects. You can take proactive steps to prevent them from entering your home. If you are concerned about the safety of your pets and family, there are many household-friendly methods to kill them. To find the best ways to combat carpet beetles at home, download The Home Depot Mobile App.
