Having a soft, lush carpet can feel like the ultimate luxury in any home.
That soft underfoot feel, and just the overall comfort of walking barefoot on welcoming fabrics can add so much warmth to any home.
However, one home truth that cannot be denied is the possibility that your house could become a perfect abode for carpet beetles and carpet beetle larvae.
And once you are dealing with a carpet beetle infestation, it can feel like the ultimate challenge to get rid of carpet pests and furniture carpet beetles.
The thought of tiny beetles making the carpet you invested a lot of time and money in their home for carpet beetle larvae is certainly not pleasant, especially if you are unsure what the best way is to keep them out of your home and light fixtures.
Where do these bugs come from, and how can you get rid of them easily?
Continue reading to find out more about how you can tackle infested areas and prevent beetles in your home.
Where do carpet beetles come from?
When it comes to getting into a home from the outside, carpet beetles have several ways to make their way into your home.
Some of these habits might even surprise you, especially considering that innocent habits can make it easy for adult beetles to sneak in undetected.
Anything from shopping bags and flowers to fabrics and natural materials that already carry carpet beetles can be ways that these tiny pests can intrude.
Adult carpet beetles can also fly in through open windows, where they will look for food and places to lay their eggs and that can serve as larval food.
What are the types of carpet beetles, and what do they look like?
Carpet beetle eggs are tiny, white, and usually around 1 mm.
An adult carpet beetle can easily lay 100 carpet beetle eggs in one sitting, which then hatch within ten days to a month.
Another thing that can make it difficult to spot carpet beetles is the varied carpet beetles colours that they come in, including orange carpet beetles, black carpet beetles, or even spotted ones.
However, some characteristics do set them apart.
Their larvae, which are called woolly bears, have prickly bristles and are usually around 5mm.
Although these woolly bears resemble small caterpillars, they eventually turn into six-legged oval-shaped striped beetles, ready to wreak havoc on any home with visible and irreparable damage.
Are carpet beetles attracted to food messes?
Carpet beetles will certainly be attracted to any food source, but they will not hesitate to also sink their “teeth” into any other natural fibres that appeal to their tastes.
These include wool, silks, pet hair, and leather.
Adult carpet beetles also easily make plants and flowers part of their diet too, as well as stored food that is left open.
Why are carpet beetles a problem?
Carpet beetles are extremely destructive insects and damage items at home.
They will chew holes through fabrics and clothing, but will not cause more than skin irritations or an allergic reaction for humans as they do not bite humans.
However, if left unchecked, you could end up dealing with a carpet beetle infestation if you do not watch out for the signs of a carpet beetle infestation.
What are the signs that you could have a carpet beetle infestation?
If you have already spotted adult carpet beetles, chances are that you already have several of these bugs crawling about.
Because carpet beetles are drawn to light sources, they can be found around bulbs, other light fixtures and window sills as well.
They could hide in curtains and furniture or even dry foods such as pasta or pet food.
Other tell-tale signs are holes in carpet or thin areas, as well as larvae’s shed skins that were shed after hatching.
How hard is it to get rid of carpet beetles?
If left to the last minute, it can be a challenge to get rid of carpet beetles.
This is because they will have already laid eggs in several places, and because these eggs are so tiny, it could mean that you only realise you have a carpet beetle problem when you start spotting chewed through fabrics and other damage caused by these insects.
How to get rid of carpet beetles
There are several ways that you can get rid of carpet beetles yourself without calling in pest control.
One way is to vacuum regularly, including next to skirting boards and on upholstered furniture.
This way, there will be less temptation for carpet beetles to feast on food crumbs, pet hairs, and more.
Steam cleaning can also help to remove these bugs and carpet beetle eggs.
One way especially of getting rid of carpet beetles is using a vinegar solution to clean window sills and other surfaces, as these insects are especially repelled by vinegar.
If you prefer having a solution that works even while you are not cleaning yourself, you could consider sticky glue traps (such as those for cockroaches encased in carton), that can trap adult beetles.
Boric acid is another option that you can sprinkle in dark corners, and that will repel the bugs – do take care that you do not sprinkle close to pet bowls or other areas where this can prove dangerous.
And if you prefer, you can use essential oils for cleaning that can repel carpet beetles as well.
Should you get pest control in?
Although carpet beetles can easily be solved the DIY way, there can be instances where it can prove difficult to get rid of them and their woolly bear larvae from soft furnishings and other areas.
In these cases, getting professional pest control would be best to ensure you do not have to deal with constant carpet beetle problems.
Need more advice on how to deter carpet beetles?
If you need more assistance dealing with carpet beetles, our expert team would be happy to help you with advice.
Do not hesitate to get in touch with us today.
FAQ
Do you have more questions on how to prevent carpet beetles in your home? Have a look below for more information.
What are some of the signs that carpet beetles are present?
Anything from thin, bare areas on carpet and damage to clothing and natural fibres to insect faecal pellets and larvae shed skins all indicate that you could be dealing with an infestation.
Scattered holes in fabrics and synthetic materials or on carpet edges could also be signs of fabric pests, as well as fecal pellets.
How do I easily get rid of carpet beetles?
Regular vacuuming, steam cleaning, and spot cleaning can help you get rid of carpet beetles in your home.
Do carpet beetles only live on carpets?
Despite the name, carpet beetles can also be found on clothing, and they are attracted to the animal fibres of taxidermy.
Also, furniture upholstery can be places where they might lay carpet beetle eggs.
Can carpet beetles fly?
Adult carpet beetles have wings and can easily fly into your home through windows or open doors.
What do adult carpet beetles feed on?
Adult carpet beetles can feed on a variety of natural materials and fibres, such as wood, clothes, cotton, leather, and books, as well as pet hairs.
How long does a carpet beetle live?
A carpet beetle has a life cycle of around three to four weeks.
Can I naturally get rid of carpet beetles?
Using vinegar or essential oils are some ways to naturally repel carpet beetles.
How do I get rid of carpet beetles in my bed?
Vacuuming and steam cleaning are some of the best ways to get rid of carpet beetles – do take care that you clean every inch of your mattress, wash your laundry, and clean your headboard.
Can carpet beetles be frozen?
If you have a small enough infested item, you can freeze it, as carpet beetles can then be easily removed.
Will washing my clothes on my washing machine’s warm cycle kill carpet beetles?
The hot temperature will certainly kill these bugs, so consider this washing cycle to eliminate carpet beetles.
Should I be worried about carpet beetles in winter?
Unfortunately, if eggs hatch in winter, the insects will stay indoors where it is warmer, which means they can still thrive and infest carpets.
What should I do if I find remaining beetles in my home?
Clean the same way you would clean your home or carpets by vacuuming and steam cleaning, and wiping open surfaces with a vinegar solution.
How hard is it to get rid of carpet beetles?
With a couple of simple steps, it can be easy to get rid of carpet beetles and prevent future infestations.
As a precaution, also consider getting screens for your window if carpet beetles are prone to be attracted to your home.
Also, always check flowers from your garden or elsewhere for bugs before you bring them into your home.
Take care to seal any cracks near windows or doors as well, as this will make it more difficult for carpet beetles to enter your home.
Are there any insects that could be mistaken for carpet beetles?
Sometimes, bed bugs and carpet beetles could be seen as one and the same thing.
However, bed bugs with their rounded shapes are known for their annoying bites that can cause a lot of discomfort.
Carpet beetles do not bite humans, but can cause skin irritation.
Some might have a white speckled appearance, or be dark brown or light brown in colour.
Also, always check for larval skins or tiny eggs, or even dead insects that could indicate adult carpet beetles having gone through their short life cycle.
Remember: Carpet beetles lay a lot of eggs at a time, so act fast if you discover carpet beetles signs in your home, before woolly bear larvae become a serious problem in your home.
