How to prevent carpet beetles from damaging your carpet

Many people think of carpet beetles as simply a nuisance type of pest. They do not carry the same risk of disease as some other pests and the damage that they do does not seem as threatening as the damage from bugs like termites. However, if you have carpet beetles, they can cause quite a bit of damage in a relatively short period of time.

First, while carpet beetles are known for eating carpet, it’s not just your carpets that are at risk. These bugs will eat any type of fabric, which means that if you do not get them under control they can damage clothing, drapes, linens, bedding, and upholstery.

You’ll most likely be able to get a good look if you spot one in your home – that’s because they move slowly. They are small, multi-coloured in brown, white, and back, and will also roll over if you touch them.

If you see or even suspect carpet beetles, there are steps you can take to try to remove them:

1. Vacuum your carpets. Not just the carpets where you saw the beetles, but also other carpets in your home. You should also vacuum furniture, rugs, and curtains in the area.
2. Steam clean the same area. Steam cleaning provides additional benefits. Not only does it remove more beetles, but the steam and moisture can help remove beetles and eggs.
3. Launder any fabrics you can launder including pillows, clothing, linens, and bedding. Wash them with hot water and detergent.
4. If you have any infested fabrics that you do not want to save, place them securely in a plastic bag and then remove them from your home.

If your carpet beetle problem is serious enough for you to notice it, it’s time to call Flick. Removing a beetle infestation may require extreme measures such as targeted pest control or removal of the infected product. Chemical treatments may also be needed to eliminate the infestation. Give us a call to discuss your treatment options.