How to get rid of carpet beetles

The carpet beetle is sometimes also called the museum beetle, but these are two different species in the anthrene family. They owe their name to their predilection for animal materials, which are often found in museums of insects and animals. Museum beetles can wreak havoc in museums, but in our homes as well. In our living rooms, it feeds on woolen objects such as carpets.

Carpet beetle killers can be useful, but they have bad impacts on the carpet and your home furniture.

What does a carpet beetle look like?

Carpet beetles are small, colorful beasts that look a little like ladybugs but are much less harmless. An adult carpet beetle is 2 to 8 mm long. Their elytra are covered with tiny scales decorated with colored spots (orange-red-white-black). Live larvae are brownish in color, very hairy and up to 10 mm long. The larvae are fire-retardant and can hide quickly. This makes them hard to spot. The duration of development between the egg and the beetle of adult carpets can be from 250 days to almost a year, at room temperature.

How do carpet beetles enter our homes?

The beetles of carpets have spread around the world by taking advantage of textile transport. They have adapted very well to their new environment and are currently among the most frequent unwanted guests in homes. In the wild, adult beetles are often found near flowers, where they feed on nectar and pollen. They thus easily enter our homes through open windows while flying. Carpet beetles are found in almost all homes where animal material is present, and these are found in carpets, wardrobes or around baseboards where dust and hair often accumulate. It is the larva that causes the most damage. The adult beetle is harmless.

How do you know if carpet beetles are in your home?

A pile of empty molting skin is a sign of their presence. These are small, pale, furry, lint-like balls. You can also observe the carpet with a magnifying glass. To find out, pull on the carpet threads, if tufts come off, chances are that carpet beetles live in your place.

What damage does a carpet beetle cause?

The larvae of the carpet beetle cause the most damage, the adult beetles are harmless and feed on nectar and pollen. If you want to be a carpet beetle killer, make sure you get rid of the larvae first. The larvae feed on wool, fur, leather, feathers, clothing, hair, etc. Your clothes and carpets can be attacked. They eat all the animal material they find, it can also be stuffed animals or collections of insects. They do, however, have a purpose: they eat dead insects, leftover dried food and old nests of birds, dead wasps or bees.

What can you to get rid of carpet beetles?

Get your weapons ready and prepare to be the carpet beetle killer, with very simple tool and procedures though:

• Wash clothes at high temperature (60 °) or freeze them at a temperature of -20 °;
• Clean the house regularly to avoid the accumulation of hair, dust, food scraps or other animal matter on the floor;
• Vacuum thoroughly;
• Hang things in the sun (carpet beetle larvae don’t like light);
• Do not leave clothes lying on the floor;
• Comb pets outside regularly.
• Buy carpet beetle killers such as:
  • Delta Dust Multi Use Pest Control Insecticide Dust,

• • Ortho Home Defense MAX Insect Killer

• • Syngenta 73654 Demand CS

• • Tempo Ultra SC