How do I know if I have Carpet Beetles?
If you have carpet and are noticing ongoing damage to your carpet and clothing…you may have carpet beetles.
Carpet beetles are harmless but can be a destructive nuisance to homeowners. They find their way into your home through open windows and small gaps around doors and entryways.
While carpet beetles are less than 1 inch long and as adults are typically harmless, their larvae feast on fabric and natural fibers.
Since carpet beetles tend to favor areas of the home that are least prone to light, including closets, attics, cabinets, pantries, and even inside air ducts, it can take some time to determine you have them.
However, most homeowners will notice they are around due to noticeable damage in their carpet and clothing.
Once you’ve determined you have carpet beetles, the most common thing homeowners want to know is how to get rid of these pesky carpet insects.
What causes you to get carpet beetles?
Adult carpet beetles have wings and can fly into your home through open doors or windows, even holes in screens. This most often occurs in springtime.
Once they are indoors, they lay their eggs in dark areas.
If you are lax about cleaning your home, dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming, your home becomes a more welcoming environment for carpet beetles, making an infestation more likely to occur.
Stained and uncleaned fabrics can also present a good breeding ground for carpet beetles in your linen closet.
How to get rid of carpet beetles using chemicals
Popular insecticides useful in getting rid of carpet beetles are ones that contain the following ingredients:
- Deltamethrin
- Bifenthrin
- Cyfluthrin
- Boric acid
Flying insect fogger is also good at getting rid of carpet beetles. Ensure that children and pets are not around when using an insect fogger. Set the fogger off and leave your home for a few hours for safe use.
How to get rid of carpet beetles naturally
The very best way to get rid of carpet beetles naturally is through vacuuming and steam cleaning.
Vacuum your carpets, floors and areas around windowsills and doors where beetles are found.
Once you have finished vacuuming, go over the areas with a steam cleaner.
Other ways to naturally get rid of carpet beetles are:
- Diatomaceous earth
- Vinegar
- Rubbing alcohol
If the above tricks do not get your carpet beetle issue under control and the infestation is widespread, consider calling an exterminator.
How to keep carpet beetles from coming back
- Vacuum daily to prevent carpet beetles from spreading and laying larvae
- Clean fabrics with high heat, then store them with moth balls or cedar strips as deterrent.
- Steam carpets and furniture as regularly as possible. Make it a note to steam your carpets and furniture quarterly (every 3 months) or even twice a year to prevent carpet beetles and keep your carpet and furniture fresh.
- Treat your home quarterly with insecticide and IGR
- Use insecticide dust for hard to reach areas like the tops of closets where carpet beetles like to hide and lay larvae.
- Utilize glue traps to catch adult beetles and prevent them from producing and laying larvae, creating an infestation.
- Use storage boxes, storage containers, or storage bags to store spare clothes and linens in closets, so they don’t attract and soil from carpet beetles.
Carpet beetles can be a nuisance, but with the proper carpet care and cleaning techniques, you can get rid of them and prevent them from coming back…for good!
