How To Get Rid Of Carpet Beetles

(Black, Furniture and Varied Carpet Beetles)

Prevention of Carpet Beetles

The best way to avoid carpet beetle problems is through prevention. Woolens and other susceptible fabrics should be dry cleaned or laundered before being stored for long periods.

Cleaning not only removes perspiration odors that are attractive to the beetles, but also kills any eggs or larvae that may be present.

Insecticides should not be used to treat clothing.

How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles

Inspection:

The first step in carpet beetle elimination is a thorough inspection of the entire structure. Carpet beetle larvae prefer to feed in dark, undisturbed, protected places. Before the infestation is discovered, the active forms (larvae and adults) may have distributed themselves in such places as the lint collected behind baseboards, in air ducts, in the stuffing of furniture and in the bristles of old paint brushes. From these unsuspected locations, carpet beetles may continue to re-infest valued woolens for long periods of time.

Check under baseboards, in and under upholstered furniture, piano felts, air ducts, stuffed animal trophies, stored cereals, bird nests under eaves, , wasp nests in attics, dead birds or rodents in wall voids, woolens, clothes closets, furs, etc.

Black carpet beetles favor animal nests such as that of birds and rodents and can be a source of infestation in the winter when the first sign of cold weather forces the beetles indoors. Location and removal of such nests before winter can also prevent infestation.

Often the cast skins are more abundant than the larvae. Adult beetles flying around windows may help in locating the infestation.

The list of materials upon which carpet beetles can feed successfully is extensive. It includes such diverse substances as meal and flour, peas and beans, animal dandruff, dead insects, leather, dried meats, silk, powdered milk and dog food as well as the natural food substance of wool, fur, hair and feathers mentioned previously. Eggs, larvae, pupae and adults may be brought into the home in any of these substances.

Since adult beetles feed on pollen and nectar, all cut flowers from the outdoors should be inspected for carpet beetle presence.

Screens should also be installed around windows and doors should be tightly fitted to prevent adults from entering the structure.

More Guidelines for Carpet Beetle Inspection

Vacumming:

Remove debris such as animal hair and lint that serves as a food source for carpet beetles.

When located, infested articles should be disposed of.

However, if the item is of high value, several options are available. Items such as furs can be placed in cold storage at temperatures around 40oC. Also, some items may be frozen for a week in an effort to kill all beetle larvae.

Carpet Beetle Traps

The X Lure Fabric Trap will trap both the Black Carpet Beetle and Varied Carpet Beetle. This reusable trap is also effective against Webbing Clothes Moths and Casemaking Clothes Moths.

Insecticide Treaments

In the case of a heavy infestation, insecticide and insect growth regulator treatments may be necessary. Before making insecticide treatments for carpet beetles, the premises should be thoroughly vacuumed. Featured are D-Fense SC Insecticide concentrate, Alpine Aerosols, D-Fense Dust and Archer IGR.