Tips To Get Rid Of Carpet Beetles & Prevent Them From Returning

If you have found tiny holes in carpets, clothes, or upholstery in your home, you may be looking at the first signs of carpet beetle infestation. Carpet beetles are tiny, oval-shaped insects ranging from black to brownish-orange. They live in carpets and feast on any fabric they can find.

However, the good news is that getting rid of carpet beetles is not too hard, and you needn’t rush for professional pest control for an expensive extermination process. If you follow just a few simple tips, you can get rid of carpet beetles in your home.

Please remember these tips help remedy small infestations of carpet beetles in your home. If faced with a heavy presence of carpet beetles or other bugs, call in the professionals.

How to get rid of carpet beetles in your home?

When you notice some signs of carpet beetle infestation, like damaged woolen clothes and rugs, these valuable tips will help stop the beetle invasion intent on destroying your fabrics. All these tips include some natural ways to get rid of carpet beetles, but it is essential to act fast so the infestation can be eradicated before it grows. Take a look –

#1 Clean in the Dark Corners and Hard to Reach Areas of Your Home

Equip yourself with long-handled cleaning equipment and vacuum cleaners to reach behind, under, and above all your furniture when you clean. If your home is under attack by carpet beetles, extend your cleaning efforts to include every nook and cranny. Especially places obscured by furniture, such as the area behind your couch or bed, under heavy bookshelves, or any corner that has remained dark and dusty for long.

#2 Consider Using Diatomaceous Earth

One of the best ways to get rid of carpet beetles is to use diatomaceous earth. It is available in powder form and is a natural desiccant that helps to dry out the insects. All you have to do is buy a pack online and liberally sprinkle it over the areas where you have spotted carpet beetles or suspect carpet beetles may be. Because it is natural, you can also place it behind large pieces of furniture as preventive care.

#3 Vinegar

Vinegar works like a miracle to get rid of carpet beetles. Give your carpet a thorough vacuuming, and then spray a solution of vinegar and water on the problem areas. It helps kill the bugs in the carpet and prevents them from returning. However, vinegar is not suitable for all kinds of furniture and rugs. It may damage the coloring or quality of your furniture. Therefore, always use vinegar with caution. Preferably, on materials where you know, it is suitable.

#4 Vacuuming & Steam Cleaning

Regular vacuuming with steam cleaning is the best way to get rid of carpet beetles and prevent any future infestation. It combines heat and suction to eradicate all carpet beetles. Regular and thorough vacuuming of the floors, furniture and upholstery removes any food sources for bugs and beetles. Any part of your furnishings that cannot be machine-washed should be vacuumed every few days to prevent infestation. If you already have a carpet beetle infestation in your home, you must vacuum daily for at least a week. Use a steam cleaner to lend a bit more power to the cleaning process.

#5 Wash Everything

If you have a carpet beetle invasion in your home, there is a chance that they have infected not just your carpets but also your upholstery, curtains, closets, and other places where they are likely to find fabric.

All machine-washable fabrics, such as woollen clothes, rugs, curtains, and bedding, should be soaked in warm, soapy water. Then, wash it in the machine at the highest temperature with a good laundry detergent.

#6 Insecticide

Various insecticides are available to help you get rid of carpet beetles. When buying insecticide, look for a solution that contains deltamethrin, bifenthrin, or cyfluthrin. Read the instructions on the insecticide container carefully before using it. Use insecticides only to treat the heavily infested areas. Keep the safety of your family members and pets in mind when using insecticides.

#7 Boric Acid

Boric acid for carpet beetles is a cheap and simple alternative to insecticides. Boric acid is not poisonous for human beings unless ingested in large quantities. But it may be dangerous for pets and should be used with caution by pet owners. Sprinkle a liberal amount of boric acid on infected areas to get rid of carpet beetles.

#8 Throw Away Heavily Infested Clothing

If the carpet beetle infestation in your home has gone on for a long time, there is a chance that some pieces of furnishings, bedding, or clothes in your home are heavily infested. If a good machine wash or steam cleaning cannot get rid of the infestation – it is best to sacrifice the clothing. Keeping infested pieces of clothes makes it even more challenging to get rid of a carpet beetle infestation.

How to Prevent Carpet Beetles from Returning in Your Home?

• Store your out-of-season clothes and sheets in plastic boxes or vacuum pack bags. It takes away the favorite foods of carpet beetles and prevents future infestations.
• Subscribe to a pest control service for regular pest control every few months or weeks – as advised. It helps nip any infestation in the bud and prevents build-up.
• Limit the possibility of re-entry of carpet beetles into your home by repairing all entry points. It includes cracks, crevices, holes, or windows without bug screens.
• Switch to rugs and upholstery made of synthetic fabrics, and vacuum them regularly – especially if you have pets.
• Keep your pantry and dining area clean and free of spilt grains or flour.

To conclude

If you have a carpet beetle problem in your home, try one of the ideas above. Depending on the treatment you choose and how dedicatedly you work at it, you can get rid of carpet beetles within a few days. However, if the infestation doesn’t end within a few days, it is advisable to call experts from a pest control company.