Insecticide For Carpet Beetles

It’s not just about killing carpet beetles as much as it is containing and removing infestations to provide a long-term solution. For example, the presence of larvae (which appear as small brownish-white worms) in your carpeting can signal a larger problem. Vacuuming will remove adult beetles and larvae, however, there are still eggs under your flooring. As the eggs hatch and if these pests find their way back into your home, the carpet beetle infestation could return. It is necessary to identify if this insect is present in all of your rooms or only one or two. If carpet beetles are seen in more than one room it is important to seal off the entire home and entry points that lead to infested areas from the outside world using sticky barrier tape and moth balls (a natural repellent).

Insecticide For Carpet Beetles

While Carpet beetle adults are typically the first sign of an infestation they primarily feed on pollen and are usually of no consequence to homeowners.

Carpet beetle larvae are responsible for damage to clothes, ornamental decorations, and other natural fiber housewares and are what you should be seeking to control.

If you look closely, you can usually find traces of their discarded molt skins in dark closets.

Be on the lookout for them in the folds of stored clothing, the fringes, and brims of hats, or in areas where dust tends to accumulate.

 

2. Know Where to Look:

Inspecting window sills and light fixtures will likely be a waste of time in your effort to control Carpet beetles.

Remember that damage is caused by the slow-moving larvae, which are found feeding in dark, secluded areas of closets, beneath furniture, or at the junction of where carpeting meets a wall.

Adult Carpet beetles have wings, are capable of flight, and are typically attracted to light and windows. Females tend to lay eggs in clusters of lint where the larvae can emerge and sustain themselves on a high-quality source of both essential proteins and oils shed by humans and pets alike.

More mature larvae tend to be more mobile and can sometimes be found crawling up walls or across ceilings.

It is not unusual to find that the source of an infestation is a pile of neglected clothing in a basement or abandoned upholstery in the attic so it is important to be thorough when checking for these fabric pests.

Occasionally Carpet beetle infestations can be the result of bird or wasp nests in wall voids where the larvae are feeding on discarded feathers and debris.

 

3. Know What to Use:

A residual, chemical insecticide such as Tempo SC Ultra can be an effective way to control Carpet beetles, as the active ingredient controls for several weeks.

When used correctly, Diatomaceous earth may also offer a natural solution for Carpet beetle infestations. Diatomaceous earth is powdery white dust that functions as an insecticide by wearing away the insect’s outer layer of protection.

Without it, the insect can no longer regulate water loss and it dries up and dies. This all-natural product has the added benefit of being non-toxic to humans and pets.

4. Try Not to Use It:

Sanitation and prevention are the best ways to control the economically important stage of the carpet beetle life cycle.

Insecticides typically aren’t necessary. In some situations, routine vacuuming can be all that’s needed to contain or eradicate a small infestation. You may want to invest in a vacuum cleaner with settings to allow for more effective cleaning near walls.

If possible, try rolling back carpeting a fair amount and vacuuming under it; as some species preferentially lay their eggs beneath carpeting.

Some measures are as simple as refraining from planting Pyracantha or Spirea shrubs near homes as they are more attractive to adult carpet beetles as a source of food. It’s also a good idea to dust surfaces regularly and get rid of accumulations of lint especially those around air vents.

Lastly, try not to leave clothing or furniture in storage indefinitely. In temperature-controlled buildings, it creates ideal conditions for larval carpet beetle development when those items could function better as donations.

Insecticide For Carpet Beetles

If you have a carpet beetle infestation, it can be difficult to get rid of the problem. You may have heard that insecticides are effective at treating the beetles and their larvae, but what do you need to know about using insecticides in your home?

The first thing to consider is whether or not your carpet beetle infestation is severe enough to warrant using insecticide. If there are only a few beetles, you may be able to treat them with a non-insecticidal product such as boric acid powder or diatomaceous earth. If your infestation is more serious, however, insecticides may be the best way to go.

Insecticides come in several different forms: liquid concentrates, wettable powders, granulars and baits. Each of these has its benefits and drawbacks—and all of them will require some amount of work on your part if you want them to work properly. Liquid concentrates are the easiest to use but they require mixing with water before they can be used. They also tend to have odors that could cause headaches or nausea in some people who use them regularly in their homes (such as when treating for fleas). Wettable powders are also easy to use but require mixing with water before usage.

List Of Insecticide For Carpet Beetles