Think you have carpet beetles? Here’s what to do.
Have you noticed defined holes around the edges of your carpets or where the threads should be on your clothes?
You may have carpet beetles.
These small critters typically only measure 1.5-4mm in length, but can make a sizable impact on the appearance of your carpets, clothing and other furnishings, not to mention the potential allergic reactions and irritation they can cause for humans and our pets.
In this blog post, the carpet experts from ServiceMaster Clean Leicester share everything you need to know about carpet beetles, including what they are, how to identify them, and, most importantly, how to get rid of them.
What are carpet beetles?
Carpet beetles are tiny insects that attack natural fibres like wool, silk, fur, feathers and skins.
There are a few different breeds you can expect to see in the UK, but each has females, males and larvae. The latter are called Woolley Bears because they are covered in brown hairs. It’s these immature larval forms that damage your carpets and other furnishings, not the adults.
Life Cycle
Female carpet beetles can lay between twenty and a hundred eggs between the spring and early summer. These are a white, creamy colour, and hatch after around ten to thirty-five days, depending on the temperature.
These larvae can last at least a year, depending on what they can eat, while the adult beetles can live for anywhere between one and five weeks.
Adults will typically appear in April and May. In June, the larvae hibernate and re-emerge towards the end of February and March the following year.
How do you get carpet beetles?
Carpet beetles can enter your property in several ways:
- Through an open door or window
- From an item already with them, such as furniture, a plant, fur, fried fruit and nuts
- Taxidermy animals
How do I know if I have carpet beetles?
Some telltale signs of carpet beetles are the well-defined holes around the edges of carpets or where the thread should be on clothing.
Adult beetles are also attracted to heat and light, so look around windows and light bulbs for pests.
Although they also enjoy being out of direct sunlight occasionally, you will find them by skirting boards or in shady corners (behind bookcases/dressers, etc). It’s more likely they’ll be attracted to warmer conditions, like airing cupboards.
They lay eggs on wool, feathers, furs and any dried materials of animal origin, such as hair. If you have an infestation, you’ll spot the eggs in these places.
The adults also eat plants and pollen, so if your house plants look a little worse for wear, this could clue you into a carpet beetle infestation.
How do I get rid of carpet beetles?
There are a few ways to get rid of carpet beetles at home and through professional help.
If you choose to use an insecticide, remember that immediate insecticides are improbable, so repeated efforts will be required.
Cleaning Solutions
You can remove carpet beetles with a combined effort of thorough cleaning, targeted treatments and prevention methods.
- When you vacuum, always wrap the bag and place it in the outside bin.
- Consult the carpet and upholstery cleaning professionals to get rid of pests.
- Wipe down surfaces, windowsills, shelves, etc, with vinegar
- Clean up any food residue immediately
- Regularly cleaning seldom-used areas to prevent infestations and spreading
- Keep inspecting your plants and flowers to ensure they are free of beetles
Need professional carpet and upholstery cleaning services?
If you think you may have carpet beetles or other pests like carpet moths, contact your local experts at ServiceMaster Clean to see how we can help.
With over 60 years of experience as leaders in the cleaning industry, we have the tools and know-how to help you eliminate threats to your carpets and furnishings through professional and expert services tailored to suit you.
To learn more about how we can help you, find your nearest ServiceMaster Clean business or book online today.