How to protect your home from carpet beetles

Carpets are ideal surfaces for carpet beetles to lay their eggs on during colder weather. Fortunately, there are simple ways to protect a home form an infestation of carpet beetles.

The eggs of carpet beetle look like dark dots or black flecks on a carpet. They are a health risk and can cause skin rashes. The hatched beetles can eat objects in the house, causing damage to books, photos, furniture and carpets. They can fly through open windows, be brought in on plants or flowers, or travel on pets’ fur. They can also enter the home down chimneys, vents and electrical conduits.

How to remove the beetles

Pest controller Mario Stanchev told Grimsby Live that regular vacuuming is the best method of removing the eggs and hatched beetles from carpet. Pets should be kept away from furniture and carpets, as they can spread carpet beetles, and keep the rest of the home clean. If beetles have spread beyond the carpet, wash all washable fabrics in soapy hot water, including curtains, clothing, towels, bedding and cushion covers.

For high level infestations, a professional pest controller can kill larvae, eggs and beetles with insecticide. Carpets should be professionally deep cleaned to remove any trace of the beetles. Deep cleaning carpets also removes dust mites, odours, bacteria and makes the air quality better.

Another way to clean carpets in North Wales homes is to sprinkle baking soda or boric acid on them before vacuuming, or to use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda.