Carpet beetles are tiny critters that cause many homeowners to feel uneasy. These pests love to feed on natural fiber carpets. They can damage your prized carpet, ruining its appearance and longevity. Dealing with these pests can be a hassle for any homeowner, but with the help of best home improvement company experts in the UAE, it will be a breeze.
Today, we will discuss how to get rid of carpet beetles, eliminate these pests from your home, and prevent future infestations.
Carpet Beetles: What Is This Menace?
Carpet beetles are the commonly found pests in any home. They have many species like the black carpet beetle, furniture carpet beetle, and the varied carpet beetle. They are a mere 1/8 inch in size with oval bodies. Their larvae are the main culprit behind the carpet damage. To identify the carpet beetle larva, look for its long body with hairs on it. It also has a bristle-like tail.
Identify The Carpet Beetle Larva Type
Before you start dealing with carpet beetles, you need to identify the pest and the infestation itself. There are several clear indicators of this..
- Look for the larval skins that carpet beetles shed as they grow. These skins are mostly found on carpets, near the baseboard, and on clothing.
- This pest loves to feed on anything made of natural fibers such as silk, cotton, wool, and more. Look for tiny holes in your premium carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture.
- Adult beetles love to be present near crevices of your luxury wallpapers or near windowsills with ample lighting. Check these places first.
How to Get Rid Of Carpet Beetles?
There are many methods that you can use to get rid of carpet beetles. The best way to do so is to look for signs of infestation and deal with it promptly. These are the steps for how to get carpet beetles.
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Thorough Cleaning
Start by vacuuming the house thoroughly, especially the areas where there are clear signs of infestation. Some places to look for carpet beetles include carpets, rugs, furniture, and your customized sofas. We recommend the use of a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner, which can suck away carpet beetles and their eggs and larvae.
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Wash All The Infested Items
The best way to kill any infestation is to wash the infected area. This includes washing the bedding, clothing, and all the washable fabrics. Use hot water with a strong detergent. Afterward, dry the fabrics with a high heat setting to eliminate the remaining carpet beetles and their larvae. Some items are not washable; for them, dry clean them or freeze them for two days at minimum to eliminate this pest.
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Using Powerful Insecticides
There are many insecticides available in the markets that are made to deal with carpet beetles. Follow the instructions of the insecticide manufacturer and focus on places like under the furniture upholstery, baseboards, or crevices where the pest can hide. There are also IGR (Insect Growth Regulators). Using them can prevent the larvae from becoming full-blow carpet beetles.
Natural Remedies To Get Rid Of Carpet Beetles
If you don’t like the idea of using chemical-based insecticides, we have some natural remedies to deal with this issue. These remedies include the following.
(i). Essential Oils: You can use oils like eucalyptus, lavender, or neem. These oils have natural pest-repelling properties. Mix any essential oil in water and spray it over your carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture.
(ii). Boric Acid: The acid is a bit corrosive, so apply it lightly to your carpets and rugs. It is naturally toxic for carpet beetles but causes no harm to pets and humans. Vacuum the acid after a few hours.
(iii). Diatomaceous Earth: Use food-grade diatomaceous earth. Sprinkle it around the edges of the affected items. This powder can damage the carpet beetles’ exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate and die.
Professional Carpet Cleaners To Get Rid Of Carpet Beetles
You have used prompt cleaning actions or natural remedies, but the infestation doesn’t seem to stop. It is time to get help from professionals. There are many carpet cleaning services that deal professionally with carpet beetle infestations. Their pest control experts have the necessary experience in dealing with all kinds of pest infestations. They have the necessary tools and the right treatment materials to deal with infestations. Many experts offer their services to get rid of carpet beetles for cheap. And If you afford to buy the new luxury carpets, it would be the best option.
Some Preventive Measures To Stop Carpet Beetle Infestation
You can also take some preventive measures to limit the risk of carpet beetle infestation in your home. Some of the recommended tips for prevention are as follows.
- Store away your off-season clothes and other items made of natural fibers in airtight containers. Place mothballs in the storage spaces as their smell repels these carpet beetles.
- Prevent carpet beetles from entering your house by sealing cracks and crevices in windows, doors, and baseboards. If the doors or windows have cracked parts, fix them to be airtight. If those are not fixable, replace them with the new ones. Blackout blinds or wooden blinds are the best options for window treatments.
- Carpet beetles, like many pests, thrive in damp and humid places. Keep dehumidifiers in the rooms to regulate the humidity levels. Do this in places like attics, basements and areas with high moisture.
- If you plan to bring second-hand or pre-used items like rugs, carpets, or furniture into your home, do a thorough inspection. To be on the safe side, wash them thoroughly with warm water and detergent.
Our Final Say
That was all about how to get rid of carpet beetles. Dealing with carpet beetles is much hassle for any homeowner. They can cause significant damage to your carpets and other items with fabrics. Swift action is advised upon finding the first signs of infestation. By using the right preventive measures, you can protect your home from this highly destructive pest. In case you have used all the cleaning techniques and preventive measures to limit the infestation, seek out professional help. With some knowledge about carpet beetles and knowing the right way to get rid of them, your carpet can be safe from these beetles.
