How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles Fast with Natural Methods

Most of the time, you must be witnessing carpet beetles and wondering why they suddenly appear in your home. In fact, a lot of people usually don't even notice them until the damage is done, and this is the reason why knowing about how to get rid of carpet beetles at an early stage is crucial. Well, Carpet beetles are usually smaller, round insects that come in different types, are black or brown in color, and are patterned. Carpet beetles are quite tiny but destructive in nature.

In fact, a adult beetles feed on the pollen outdoors, their larvae live inside the homes and eat natural materials such as feathers, leather, cotton, silk, and wool. These larvae are the biggest problem makers. Why? because They crawl into the dark corners, carpets, and stored clothes, causing damage over time. So, a proper carpet beetle treatment is necessary as it helps to stop the larvae before they spread to most areas of your home.

Step by Step Guide to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles Fast

1. Deep Clean All Fabrics, Carpets & Upholstery

You can get rid of the beetles by cleaning your rugs and upholstered surface carefully so that the eggs, larvae, and the dust are removed that attracts the carpet beetles. Moreover, you can even use a steam cleaner as the heat cleaner helps in killing the hidden pests on the spot. Moreover, you can even wash curtains, clothes, and bedding at high temperatures to get rid of the larvae completely.

2. Treat Infested Areas with Cleaning Solutions

Make use of the strong detergents or disinfectants on the surface where you notice the carpet bugs. Moreover, you can even apply powders or insecticidal sprays that are mainly curated for carpet beetle treatment. It is because such products reach inside the fibers where the larvae hide.

3. Dispose of Heavily Infested Items

Well, if you think that certain items are too damaged or are heavily damaged, then it’s better to just throw them away. It is because this would prevent the larvae from spreading towards the cleaner areas in your home. Moreover, you must bag and seal the infested items before disposal to avoid carrying the beetles throughout the house.

4. Clean and Treat Furniture, Baseboards, Closets and Rugs

Mainly, the carpet beetles usually hide in the darker areas, undisturbed spaces, and that is why you must keep an eye on the drawers, closets, shelves, or corners carefully. Regularly wipe these areas with good cleaning solutions and vacuum cracks. Moreover, you must also treat the wooden furniture where you think the larvae would often settle.

Natural Methods to Deal with Carpet Beetles

1. Using Essential Oils (Cedar, Neem, Eucalyptus)

Certain essential oils, such as cedar, neem, and eucalyptus, are usually strong natural repellents. These essential oils can be easily mixed with water, so that you can spray them onto the closets, carpets, and fabrics to keep the carpet beetles away. Moreover, such oils usually create a scent that the adult beetles and larvae usually avoid. This is one of the best and safest natural ways to kill carpet beetles without the use of any chemicals.

2. Vinegar Sprays for Surfaces & Fabrics

A mixture of water and white vinegar helps in breaking down the dirt and pheromones that usually attract the beetles. Use this solution to spray onto the wardrobes, window sills, shelves, and even on the areas where you notice activity. Vinegar is also used to kill some larvae upon contact and even helps in sanitizing the surface effectively.

3. Sunlight & Heat Exposure Techniques

Well, indeed, carpet beetles usually cannot survive the strong sunlight and heat conditions. That is why it would be ideal to place clothes, cushions, or infested rugs outside for some hours, which would kill the hidden pests. Moreover, heat and sunlights helps in destroying the eggs too, ultimately minimizing the risk of re-infestation.

4. Freezing Fabrics to Eliminate Larvae

If you witness larvae or adult beetles on delicate items that cannot be washed or heated, it’s better to just freeze them. For this, you need to seal the items in a plastic bag and place them into the freezer for up to 48-72 hours. The extreme cold conditions would kill the eggs and the larvae completely.

What Causes Carpet Beetles in Your Home?

Food Sources - Natural Fibers, Pet Hair, Stored Fabrics, Dead Insects

It is most likely that the carpet beetles are attracted by the natural materials such as wool, silk, cotton, leather, and feathers. Moreover, they even feed on the pet hair, dead insects, and lint that may be lying around unnoticed. When such food sources are available, carpet beetles multiply quickly and spread through furniture, carpets, and closets.

Gaps, Cracks, & Open Windows Allowing Beetles Inside

Well, the adult carpet beetles usually enter through small openings such as doors, windows, and wall cracks. Moreover, they’re majorly drawn to indoor lighting and warmth. Once they enter your home, they usually lay their eggs on the fabrics or in the hidden corners. That is why it is quite essential to seal the entry points as part of the long-term carpet beetle treatment.

Poor Cleaning Habits or Long-Term Storage of Untreated Fabrics

Lint, dust, and clutter usually create an ideal and perfect environment for carpet beetle larvae to hide and feed. That is why it is not recommended to store clothes, upholstery, and blankets for a long period without cleaning, as it invites infestations. Such fabrics usually become the breeding spot for the larvae.

How to Prevent Carpet Beetles from Coming Back?

Regular Vacuuming & Deep Cleaning Routines

Well, if you vacuum on a regular basis, it helps to extract larvae, eggs, and food particles that are major culprits for attracting carpet beetles. Lay full focus upon carpets, upholstery, hidden nooks, and baseboards where pests usually hide. Moreover, if you choose to steam or deep clean using hot water, that would be an added plus.

Storing Clothes in Sealed Containers

Keeping the seasonal fabrics, blankets, and clothes in airtight containers would prevent the beetles from reaching them. This is crucial for fabrics like expensive garments, wool, silk, that larvae like or love to feed on.

Repairing Window Screens & Sealing Gaps

It is easier for the adult beetles to enter the home through small gaps around windows, doors, and even walls. That is why it is essential to get the torn screens and sealing cracks repaired so that their entry is blocked. Moreover, this would disable the beetles from laying their eggs inside your living space.

Monitoring High Risk Areas Frequently

Storage rooms, carpeted spaces, and closets must be inspected on a regular basis for holes, shed skins, or larvae. If these are detected at an early stage, you will be able to take the required action before the infestation spreads further.

When to Call a Professional Pest Control Service?

You must call a pest control service if you’re dealing with a recurring or severe infestation that keeps returning even after you clean or perform home treatments. Moreover, carpet beetles in some cases spread so quickly that they can even cause damage to the furniture, stored fabrics, carpets, and ultimately make it difficult to handle on your own.

That is why many individuals opt for professional services that use advanced tools and strong carpet beetle treatment methods that reach the floors, deep into the walls, and hidden areas. Moreover, professionals even guide you about how you can get rid of the carpet beetles permanently and even prevent any kind of future problems.

Conclusion

It is much easier to get rid of the carpet beetles when you follow the key steps frequently - deep cleaning, treating the infested areas, and removing the damaged items. It is because of these simple steps that help in minimizing the pests and form the foundation of how to get rid of carpet beetles effectively.