Did you know that the larvae of carpet beetles eat natural fibers? The adults can also feed on clothing and other hair, skin, and nail debris.
Carpet beetles are found all over the world. They’re usually about 1/8 inch long (3-4 mm) with oval bodies covered in tiny scales. Depending on the species, their colors may be brown or black to reddish-gold or iridescent blue.
Carpet beetle infestations are more common between fall and early spring. Many people think they live outdoors feeding on pollen, plant materials, and fungi. However, once inside your home or business, they can become quite a nuisance by damaging fabrics, upholstery, rugs, curtains, clothing, shoes, animal food, taxidermy, woolen goods, antiques, dead insects, and leather.
Signs of an infestation are rugs that have been eaten away by larvae or the presence of adult beetles flying around. The best way to get rid of carpet beetles naturally is to vacuum regularly to remove eggs hiding in carpets, rugs, clothing, and furniture. Then you can use a steam cleaner on your couches and other upholstered products.
Also, make sure there are no holes in the walls where they might be entering from outside. Here are some additional natural remedies for getting rid of these pests :
1. Borax powder
For heavier infestations, sprinkle the Borax powder all over your carpets for at least two days and then vacuum. Borax is a natural mineral that will do no harm to your carpets. It can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat in concentrations above about three percent, so it should be kept away from small children and pets.
2. Essential oils
Using essential oils like lavender or tea tree oil around your house and on your clothes may deter them from hanging around long enough to lay eggs. These oils are not harmful to people or pets when used in moderation, but keep in mind that the borax powder is much more effective than these home remedies if you have carpets with synthetic fibers.
3. Cedar chips
Cedar oil is another natural remedy for carpet beetles. However, it can be expensive and needs to be reapplied often. Also, if you have any pets or children, don’t use cedar products around your house because they can cause respiratory problems. Cedarwood chips are more effective since they release their scent faster.
Vacuum the area after a few days, then reapply the cedar oil around the edges of your home if necessary, but avoid getting it on anything that might absorb it, like rugs or chairs.
4. Homemade traps
These are some great DIY traps that don’t involve any chemicals or poisons to keep them away from your home forever. Put out a glass jar filled with beer (with the top covered in paper), and they will crawl inside where they will drown. You can also use sticky tape to seal off holes where you think they might be entering your house for good because once an adult carpet beetle spots a mate, there’s no way back out!
If you suffer from recurring infestations, then it might be time for professional pest control. Keep in mind that if you have a major infestation, it’s best to call the professionals because they will have the equipment and knowledge to get rid of them efficiently. You can also check out this website for more helpful articles and reviews on how to eliminate your pest problems without any harsh chemicals:
5. Steam cleaners
Steamers are a great way to get rid of carpet beetles for good. If your rugs, carpets, and upholstery have been infested, it’s best to use a steamer rather than dry cleaning chemicals because these bugs love moist environments. Also, vacuuming regularly is important because eggs can be hidden deep inside your carpet fibers or in cracks and crevices around the house. So make sure you don’t miss a spot when using one of these machines.
More: TOP 5 BEST CARPET CLEANERS TO BUY
6. Baking soda paste
After shampooing carpets with Borax powder, scrub them well with baking soda paste (one cup of borax powder mixed in enough water to form a thick paste). Keep the area wet for at least an hour, then vacuum after. If you’re going to use this recipe, remember to leave the windows open because the paste can be a little suffocating.
7. Citrus juice
Warm citrus juices like orange or grapefruit juice will help break down the surface tension of the carpet beetles’ shells. Just put out a glass bowl filled with this liquid in your house overnight, and they won’t be able to resist. If you’re not sure how much liquid you need, just spread half cupfuls around several areas to ensure all your carpets are covered.
8. Epsom salt paste remedy
Mix one part Epsom salt with three parts water until it forms a thick paste. Apply it to small patches of the carpet where you think there might be many adults (ideally places underneath furniture). Leave on for at least two hours before vacuuming up. This is also an excellent way to get rid of their larvae.
9. Vacuum regularly
Carpet beetles are one step ahead of us at all times, but there are some things you can do to make it more difficult for them to reproduce. First of all, don’t leave your shoes outside or on the floor because these bugs love this stuff! Also, keep your carpets vacuumed regularly so their eggs won’t have a chance to hatch.
10. Caulk any possible entry points
Carpet beetles usually come into people’s homes through cracks in foundation walls or doors that might not be closed tightly enough. So pay extra attention to making sure that silence is golden! Once they’re inside, they will probably munch away at anything made of natural fibers, including silk and wool, but also on pieces of cotton and furs. This means you need to check bedding, upholstery, clothes, and any other fabrics around your home.
Final Words
So there you have it, ten natural ways to get rid of carpet beetles. These bugs will be a pain in the butt no matter what because they just keep reproducing! If you’re trying out these remedies, then make sure to keep an eye out for any more adults that might try and sneak into your home, but also check regularly for larvae because that’s probably where the problem is rooted from.
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