How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles

How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles

Few are as harmless as the carpet beetle of all the pests. Their tiny mouthparts can’t do a thing to us, and they don’t spread disease. That said, these fuzzy little creatures are destructive. These beetles are small, come in various patterns, and all have one thing in common… They want to live in your home. So when we call them harmless, that doesn’t mean you can ignore them. True, the adults don’t do much of anything other than reproducing…

But their larvae are real terrors. They can chew huge tunnels and holes through curtains, clothes, couches, carpets… Just about anything made of fabric is fair game for these voracious beetles. The moment you see them, you’ll want to take action. But, what is a carpet beetle? This article will introduce you to them and teach you the best ways to get rid of them.

What Are Carpet Beetles?

As the name implies, Carpet beetles are beetles that produce destructive larvae. The beetles themselves are harmless. Adult carpet beetles are black or a mottled mix of black, white, and tan. You can handle them, shoo them away, and do whatever you want. You can usually find them flying towards lights or congregating near windows and doors. This is because they’re drawn to light.

The larvae are the real problem. The adults are less than a quarter of an inch long, and the larvae are even smaller. They resemble tiny brown caterpillars covered in hair. Their segmented bodies have a dark spot on the back and a smooth, shiny head. These opportunistic creatures will eat anything they can digest – Typically fabrics. They also eat through paper, though – So your book collection is also at risk.

Where Can You Find Them?

Though you might find larvae in your carpet, you won’t see them in obvious places. Usually, they prefer dark areas that are close to walls. So behind and under your couch, seams in curtains, and inside cabinets and cupboards are good places to look. Some varieties of carpet beetles even eat pasta and flour, so check the pantry too.

How Can You Get Rid of Carpet Beetles?

The first step to fighting carpet beetles when you find them is to do a major cleanup. Vacuum everything – Carpets, floors, windowsills, cabinets… Anywhere that you’ve seen them. There may be eggs you can’t see. Steam clean these spaces when you’re done to kill any left behind.

Pesticides are the next step. Sprays that include bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, or deltamethrin work the best here. Test these on a small area of fabric before spraying to make sure it won’t stain or damage your fabrics. Finally, before you vacuum, you can try sprinkling boric acid into the carpet and brushing it in evenly. This chemical is itself an insecticide that can kill carpet beetles.

After cleaning, mix white vinegar with water and apply it to windowsills and cabinets. This acidic mixture will repel carpet beetles. Rubbing alcohol works, too.

Preventing Carpet Beetles

To keep beetles from returning, treat windows and doors with insecticides. Insect-killing granules work well, and sprays should be used near pipes and other entryways. Close up holes in your screen, and replace any damaged weather stripping. Carpet beetles can be a nuisance – There’s no reason to put up with them in your home. If they become an infestation, the damage can be severe. Check for them if you start to notice balding or fraying parts of your carpet.

If you find them, give us a call. Then, visit the Total Pest Solutions website to learn about our services. We’ll fix your beetle problem in no time and keep them from coming back.