Did you know that carpet beetles are tiny, destructive creepy crawlies? It’s true; they can cause a lot of damage to fabrics in your home including linen, clothes, upholstery and most of all, your carpets! They eat into the material, causing the weaves or stitches to come apart. However, this needn’t be the case for you if you act quickly. As soon as you realise you’ve got a carpet bug problem, take action! While you can call an exterminator or professional cleaning company to take care of the infestation like many homeowners choose to do, you can do it yourself and save money.
It takes a little time and effort to fully do away with these persistent pests, but once you do, you’ll have a lot more peace of mind at home. Try these surefire ways to conquer your carpet beetle infestation.
1. Vacuum, Vacuum, Vacuum!
We can’t help but stress on vacuuming your carpets because as simple as it sounds, it’s highly effective in capturing those pesky bugs. However, it helps to know where exactly the bug problem is most severe so that you can go over this area a couple of times to ensure you get them all. Shed skins, fecal pellets, larvae and of course, the beetles themselves are common indications that the bugs are multiplying in this area. After vacuuming thoroughly, you can use an old comb or blunt knife to run through the area and check for any beetles that may have gotten away. Continue vacuuming thoroughly for the next two or three days to ensure that your carpets are beetle-free. Don’t forget to empty out the bag in your garbage and take it out to the dumpster immediately so that they don’t find their way out.
2. Clean Upholstery, Wash Linen
Carpet beetles are not confined to your home’s carpeting; they can be crawling around in your upholstery, curtains, cushions and other household linens. Your carpets may be bug-free but it won’t be long till they start multiplying and find their way back; hence, it’s best not to take any chances. Vacuum your upholstery thoroughly (including the underside) using a soft brush or upholstery attachment. Concentrate on crevices and corners that the beetles may have crawled into. Machine wash cushion covers, curtains and other household linens that you suspect the bugs may be hiding in. Remember, beetles multiply quickly so the extra precautions you take, the better your chances are of getting rid of them!
3. Organic Bug-Killing Sprays
Insecticide is extremely effective in killing these little critters once and for all, but they contain harmful chemicals that you may not want to spray in your home. Particularly if you have kids and pets, we suggest you avoid using chemical-based insecticide. A great alternative, and something many professional cleaners recommend, is organic bug spray. Though they work slower than insecticide, they get the job done. Spray your carpets and upholstery after vacuuming them to kill any beetles and larvae that may still be lying deep in the fabric. You can also use these sprays to prevent a future carpet beetle infestation by spraying carpeting, upholstery and household linens at least once a month.
4. Seal Bug Entries!
If you’re wondering how carpet beetles find their way to your carpets in the first place, you could have multiple entryways for them and not even know it! Cracks in baseboards, air ducts, doors without a threshold and attics are all inviting entryways for carpets bugs. Make arrangements to seal these spaces so that you won’t have to deal with this nuisance again. Cracks and crevices in your baseboards can easily be sealed using a little PVA glue, while a mesh for your air duct and installing a threshold for your front and back doors will keep more than just carpet beetles out!
No one should have to live with a nuisance like carpet beetles, and with these great solutions, you won’t have to anymore! You can always count on Simply Maid to provide you with reliable cleaning solutions and services for your home. If you’re in need of a professional cleaning service, look no further. We offer various kinds of home cleaning at attractive rates! Take a look at our pricing and services page for more information.
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