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How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles

how to get rid of carpet beetles

Do you need help removing carpet beetles? Many carpet beetles have no clear identification, and they are difficult to distinguish from moths.

The most common damage is the first sign before any others. Carpet beetles have found many ways to get into carpets.

Obviously, carpet beetles can cause serious health problems when removed only when the person has some knowledge of the insect.

In this guide, we aim to give you all the facts about this pest and how to get rid of carpet beetles.

What are Carpet Beetles

carpet beetle

Carpet beetles are small insects that, if not taken care of, can become a nuisance in the home.

Young carpet beetles and larvae feast on materials like wool, silk, and leather which are natural fibres. They also consume animal products such as pet hair.

On the other hand, adult carpet beetles mainly feed on pollen, plants, and flowers.

Carpet beetles have a range of different symptoms which may not be limited to the flooring but for upholstered furniture.

Some carpet beetle species have a name that is named after the food that it likes. This pest usually resides in organic materials.

Types Of Carpet Beetles

The 3 types of carpet beetles commonly found in homes are the varied carpet beetle, furniture carpet beetle, and black carpet beetle.

Varied carpet beetle

The adult varied carpet beetle is very small, with black wing covers covered in a brown, white, and dark yellow pattern of scales.

The wings of adult varied carpet beetles gradually darken, eventually appearing black or brown. Varied carpet beetle females prefer to lay their eggs in wasps', birds', bees' nests, and spider webs when they're outdoors.

The webs and nests are rich in larval food sources, such as beeswax, dead insects, pollen, feathers, or other debris.

Furniture carpet beetle

Compared to the varied carpet beetle, furniture carpet beetles are rounder and bigger.

The markings may differ between adults, but they share common features: black spots on a white and dark yellow/orange background. These can be found on the wing covers.

Furthermore, both kinds of larvae will eat similar things. For instance, furniture carpet beetles can lay around 60 eggs and the adults have a lifespan of 8 weeks.

Black carpet beetle

If you're trying to identify a black carpet beetle, one key distinguisher is its size compared to other types of beetles.

The adult beetles are a little over half an inch long, shiny black, and have dark brown legs. The larvae look like smooth, short, and shiny grubs with stiff hairs all over their bodies. Adult beetles usually lay 90 eggs, and they have a lifespan of 8 weeks.

What Do Carpet Beetles Look Like?

The carpet beetle larvae also called woolly bears, have bands of hair and are covered by small bristles of 5 mm or more. It's like a tiny fluffy caterpillar.

When the wooly bears grow up into adult carpet beetles, it is rounded with 6 legs with antenna and is of several different kinds.

Variable or variegated carpet insects can be a range of colors: orange, black or white speckled.

The white beetle looks different because its black color seems like the name implies.

Life Cycle of a Carpet Beetle?

The adult carpet beetle is likely to survive for at least a week or two. Freshly laid eggs take between 6 and 18 days to hatch.

In the next two years, they are going through a phase of pupae – in a beetle-like state - which will live from 2 to 3 weeks.

Can carpet beetles fly?

Yes, beetles fly in the house, this is the easiest method to attract carpet beetles from your house. Their flying capability makes carpet bugs more annoying and spreads further around the house.

Are carpet beetles harmful?

Carpet beetles don't have any toxic effects but can affect people's respiratory tracts and cause eye irritation.

Signs of Carpet Beetle Infestation

Here are a few telltale signs that you may have carpet beetle infestations in your home:

  1. Small holes in fabrics: Carpet beetles aren't shy about munching on just about any type of fabric, from wool carpets to cotton clothing. If you start noticing small holes appearing in fabrics around your home, it's a good sign that you have a carpet beetle problem.
  2. Shed wings and insect parts: Carpet beetles go through a complete metamorphosis during their lifetime, shedding their skin multiple times as they grow. You may start finding shed wings and other insect parts around your home if you have an infestation.
  3. Damage to natural fibers: In addition to damaging synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon, carpet beetles can also wreak havoc on natural fibers like wool and silk. If you notice any damage to these types of fabrics in your home, it's time to call in the pest control company.
  4. Small, round fecal pellets: Another telltale sign of carpet beetle activity is the presence of small, round fecal pellets near where the insects are feeding. These pellets are typically dark brown or black in coloration and will be clearly visible against light-colored fabrics.

7 Ways How To Get Rid Of Carpet Beetles Naturally

If you suspect you have a carpet beetle infestation, don't panic! There are a number of things you can do to get rid of them naturally.

  1. Thorough vacuuming. vacuuming is the best way to remove carpet beetles and their eggs from your carpets and upholstery. Be sure to vacuum all areas of your home thoroughly, including under furniture and in hard-to-reach places. Vacuuming regularly will help prevent an infestation from taking hold in the first place.
  2. Clean hard-to-reach dark areas. Carpet beetles like dark, quiet places where they can hide away undisturbed. Pay special attention to cleaning under furniture, in closets, and in any other dark corners of your home. A good thorough cleaning will go a long way towards getting rid of carpet beetles.
  3. Use boric acid. Boric acid is a natural pesticide that is very effective at killing carpet beetles and their eggs. You can find boric acid at most hardware stores or online.
  4. Steam cleaner. A steam cleaner is a great way to kill carpet beetles and their eggs on contact. Just be sure to use it in well-ventilated areas so that you don't end up inhaling too much steam.
  5. Throw away heavily-infested clothing. If your clothing is heavily infested with carpet beetle larvae, it's best to just throw it away rather than try to clean it. You don't want to risk spreading the infestation to other parts of your home or unintentionally harming yourself with pesticides or steam cleaners.
  6. Kill carpet beetles with apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is a natural insecticide that is very effective at killing carpet beetle eggs. Just mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and use it to mist-infested areas of your home.
  7. Use diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth is a natural substance made from the fossilized remains of algae. It works by puncturing the exoskeletons of insects, which causes them to dehydrate and die.

Does Lysol Kill Carpet Beetles

lysol

Did you know that Lysol can't kill carpet beetles? Most people don't because it's such a common household disinfectant. It is made up of lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and isopropyl alcohol though.

Does Bleach Kill Carpet Beetles

Bleach

A cleaning solution of one part bleach and three parts water is also effective in killing the eggs and larvae on contact. The use of a flying insect fogger is good at getting rid of carpet beetles.

How to Prevent Future Infestations

Once you've gotten rid of your current infestation, it's important to take steps to prevent future infestations. Here are a few things you can do:

  • Keep your home clean and free of clutter. Carpet beetles like dark, quiet places where they can hide away undisturbed. By keeping your home clean and free of clutter, you'll make it much harder for them to find a place to hide.
  • Vacuum regularly. Vacuuming is the best way to remove carpet beetles and their eggs from your carpets and upholstery. Regular vacuuming will help prevent an infestation from taking hold in the first place.
  • Inspect secondhand furniture and clothing. Before bringing any secondhand furniture or clothing into your home, be sure to inspect it carefully for signs of an infestation. If you do find anything, don't bring it into your home!
  • Use boric acid. Boric acid is a natural pesticide that is very effective at killing carpet beetles and their eggs. You can find

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get rid of carpet beetles?

A clean vacuum removes beetle larvae from carpeting quickly and easily. Focus on the source and the infested areas, but vacuum the house for the removal of every single insect. Remove the bag immediately after the vacuum.

How long does it take to get rid of carpet beetles?

Place the glue board trap inside closets, kitchens, or other dark spaces so that the larvae and adults can be found. You may find less carpet beetles in the trap during the days following your treatment. If the area has no activity within one month of your return, leave.

Is it normal to have carpet beetles?

It is possible that a swarm has invaded your house and will infiltrate you soon!

Final Thoughts on How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles

As you may know, the carpet beetle has not only caused a nuisance. It's devastating for those with expensive or historic natural-fiber items.

They may also ruin art pieces or museums' whole collections of rare animals. Although vermin are not capable of transmitting dangerous illnesses, molting insects can cause skin irritation.

If you have tried all of the methods above, and you are still struggling with how to get rid of carpet beetles, we recommend that you call our professional pest control service.

About The Author:

Meet Mark Calhoun, a seasoned pest control expert in the realm our pest control company. With over 10 years of dedicated experience and Managing Editor. His primary mission is to furnish you with precise and invaluable DIY insights, ensuring your home remains pest-free while aiding you in distinguishing various household pests.
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