The Homeowner’s Guide to Effective Carpet Beetle Management

A carpet beetle is a small pest that can cause huge damage to fabrics, furs, upholstered furniture, pillows, comforters, stored food, and, of course, carpets. Belonging to a family of beetles called dermestids, the carpet beetle will eat animal-based items, from leather to silk to wool. But this pest will still feed on synthetic fabrics when the items are soiled by food, perspiration, or oil.

Controlling the indoor pest can be difficult. The carpet beetle tends to find dark and undisturbed areas to feed and burrow. The size of the carpet beetle (1/10 inch long for varied carpet beetles and 1/8 to 3/6 inch long for black carpet beetles) might also make it hard to detect infestation. And without effective carpet beetle management, your personal belongings and your home could suffer serious damage.

The following steps will help you in managing carpet beetle infestation:

  • Always keep your fabrics clean. Don’t let a stain, be it perspiration or food, linger on your clothes, upholstered furniture, blankets, and the like. Whether it’s animal based or synthetic, carpet beetles will sniff this food source out and damage your fabrics.Never bring in cut flowers without checking them first for adult beetles. An adult carpet beetle will feed on nectar and pollen outdoors. It could come from your garden or from the flower shop on the corner. So you might bring them into your home. The adult beetle will have a rounded body and short antennae, and appear like a lady bug.
  • Make sure the screens and vents are secure. A carpet beetle may fly into your kitchen or living room.
  • Do not forget to have your drapes, carpets, or rugs cleaned regularly. You can vacuum these items or have them professionally cleaned.
  • Always check your cabinets, closets, and other dark and undisturbed areas where carpet beetles will hide. You will want to pay special attention to areas with spider webs and wasp nests because these attract infestations.
  • Protect your stored items. Make sure the items are clean before putting them in tight containers or boxes. If storing items in closets, make sure they are free from cracks or holes. Seal any opening or use weather stripping on the door.
  • Use a consumer vacuum around all of your baseboards, especially behind beds and furniture. Carpet beetles problems that we run across have been solved but we recommend taking extra precaution by vacuuming behind all furniture. Most people do not do this on a regular basis. Carpet beetles feed on dead skin and pet hair which tends to build up under beds and behind furniture.
  • And finally, perhaps no other method can remove the infestation from your home quite like professional pest control. For many homes that suffer from a significant carpet beetle infestation, only the expertise of a professional pest control company can keep the indoor pest out.

Source: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7436.html

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