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Carpet beetles are a pest that feeds on animal
products and natural fabrics (not synthetic fibers), frequently infesting clothing and
carpets. There are a few different types of carpet beetles but getting rid of them is
the same – just follow these easy steps!
Similar for all varieties. Eggs hatch in approx.
2 weeks. Larvae prefer the dark and feed on fabrics (wool, carpet, fur);
adults prefer sun and feed on pollen/nectar.
Varied
1/10th of an inch long when fully grown,
black with brown/yellow/white patterning that can fade as they age.
Larvae are covered in dense hair and slightly longer than adults,
with brown stripes.
The larval stages of carpet beetles feed on animal products and natural fabrics (not
synthetic fibers), and frequently infest clothing. Carpets and area rugs are also a prime
location for carpet beetle infestations (hence their name!)
HOW CARPET BEETLES CAUSE HARM
They cause damage very similar to moths, however as they feed they will leave skins and fecal
pellets as obvious signs of infestation. Carpet beetles tend to damage a single, large area
on items, making them easier to distinguish from the scattered bites common in moth
infestations. Carpet beetles are known to infest the interior of furniture made of natural
fibers, such as the inside of cushions stuffed with down or other natural fibers, making it
harder in some cases to notice an infestation.
Follow this step-by-step approach to get carpet beetles out of your clothes, blankets, rugs,
carpets, furniture, and other fabrics.
Pest
TREATMENT TEMPATURE
HOW LONG BEFORE THEY DIE
Ants
120°F
5 mins
Bed Bugs
115°F
7 mins
Cockroaches
130°F
7 mins
Dust Mites
140°F
8 mins
Fleas
140°`F
10 mins
Termites
125°F
10 mins
Scabies
122°F
10 mins
Lice
130°F
30 mins
Carpet Beetles
120°F
30 mins
Moths
120°F
30 mins
Step 1-Heat
Treat
Step 2- Vacuum
Step 3 - Wash
Step 4 - DE
Step 5 -
Nuvan ProStrips
Step 1: Use heat to get rid of carpet beetles. Adult
beetles, larvae and eggs are easily destroyed with the use of a ZappBug
heating unit. Place the infested (or possibily infested) items into the
unit, and once the temperature probe reads 120 degrees Fahrenheit just heat
treat for an hour and a half.
Carpet Beetles die at 120 degrees in 30 minutes, but we recommend
treating for an hour and a half to be sure all are dead.
Delicate clothing that can’t be washed can be treated in ZappBug units
Makes it easy to treat rugs and other house hold items
Our larger ZappBug Room allows you to heat treat larger furniture, such
as couches and beds.
Seal and bag all items to make sure that any infestation is contained – for
more on the best methods for that see
Step 2 in
our Eight Step Approach.
This is especially important for objects that may be harder to see carpet
beetles, such as pillows that could be internally infested. Once items are
quarantined cleaning your home thoroughly with a vacuum (and steaming where
possible) is strongly recommended.
Clear away food sources whenever possible – including badly infested (and
damaged) items, as well as any debris like pet hair or dryer lint. Wash your
what you can to help get rid of the debris.
Diatomaceous earth. This stuff is a great non-toxic,
kid-and-pet friendly alternative to insecticides. Make sure to buy food or
pet grade, then spread a layer of around infested areas and inside cracks
and crevices. Make sure to proof your house against new beetles entering
from outdoors, especially through doors and windows by spreading
diatomaceous earth in those areas. Diatomaceous earth works by drying out
bugs, causing their eventual death by dehydration. .
Nuvan ProStrips pest strips can also kill carpet beetles. For more
information on DDVP please see Step
3 of our Eight Step Approach for bed bugs, and apply the same
principles to your fight against carpet beetles.
Learn more about how heat treatment works by visiting our products
page and viewing our treatment video. You will see how easy it is to
use our ZappBug heating units, and why heat treatment is the best way to get rid
of Carpet Beetles quickly and effectively.
Similar for all varieties. Eggs hatch in approx. 2 weeks. Larvae prefer the dark and feed on fabrics
(wool,
carpet,
fur); adults prefer sun and feed on pollen/nectar.
Varied Beetles
1/10th of an inch long when fully grown
black with brown/yellow/white patterning that can fade as they age.
Larvae are covered in dense hair and slightly longer than adults, with brown stripes.
Furniture Beetles
Larger and rounder than varied
Generally mottled white/orange/yellow scales with white undersides
Larvae are white or red/brown as they mature
Black Carpet Beetles
Largest in size, up to 3/16 of an inch as adults and 5/16 of an inch as larvae
Are shiny black/dark brown
Larvae are shiny black/dark brown with stiff hairs
WHERE CARPET BEETLES LIVE
The larval stages of carpet beetles feed on animal products and natural fabrics (not synthetic fibers), and
frequently
infest clothing. Carpets and area rugs are also a prime location for carpet beetle infestations (hence their
name!)
HOW CARPET BEETLES CAUSE HARM
They cause damage very similar to moths, however as they feed they will leave skins and fecal pellets as obvious
signs of infestation. Carpet beetles tend to damage a single, large area on items, making them easier to
distinguish from
the scattered bites common in moth infestations. Carpet beetles are known to infest the interior of furniture
made of
natural fibers, such as the inside of cushions stuffed with down or other natural fibers, making it harder in
some cases to notice an infestation.
HOW TO GET RID OF CARPET BEETLES
Follow this step-by-step approach to get carpet beetles out of your clothes, blankets, rugs, carpets, furniture,
and
other fabrics.
1
Heat Treat
Step 1: Use heat to get rid of carpet beetles. Adult beetles, larvae and eggs are easily destroyed with the use
of a
ZappBug heating unit. Place the infested (or possibily infested) items into the unit, and once the temperature
probe
reads 120 degrees Fahrenheit just heat treat for an hour and a half.
Carpet Beetles die at 120 degrees in 30 minutes, but we recommend treating for an hour and a half to be sure
all are dead.
Delicate clothing that can’t be washed can be treated in ZappBug units
Makes it easy to treat rugs and other house hold items
Our larger ZappBug Room allows you to heat treat larger furniture, such as couches and beds.
2
Vacuum and Clean
Seal and bag all items to make sure that any infestation is contained – for more on the best methods for that see
Step 2 in our Eight Step Approach. This is especially important for objects that may be harder to see carpet
beetles, such
as pillows that could be internally infested. Once items are quarantined cleaning your home thoroughly with a
vacuum
(and steaming where possible) is strongly recommended.
3
Wash
Clear away food sources whenever possible – including badly infested (and damaged) items, as well as any debris
like
pet
hair or dryer lint. Wash your what you can to help get rid of the debris.
4
DE
Diatomaceous earth. This stuff is a great non-toxic, kid-and-pet friendly alternative to insecticides. Make sure
to
buy food or pet grade, then spread a layer of around infested areas and inside cracks and crevices. Make sure to
proof your house against new beetles entering from outdoors, especially through doors and windows by spreading
diatomaceous earth in those areas. Diatomaceous earth works by drying out bugs, causing their eventual death by
dehydration.
3
Nuvan ProStrips
Nuvan ProStrips pest strips can also kill carpet beetles. For more information on DDVP please see Step 3 of our
Eight
Step Approach for bed bugs, and apply the same principles to your fight against carpet beetles.
HEAT TREAT TO GET RID OF MOTHS
Learn more about how heat treatment works by visiting our products page and viewing our treatment video. You will
see
how easy it is to use our ZappBug heating units, and why heat treatment is the best way to get rid of Carpet
Beetles
quickly and effectively.
Carpet beetle infestations are easier to prevent than to control.
Heat treat any old clothing or furniture purchased at yard sales.
Keep your furniture and clothes clean
Vacuum frequently to remove accumulations of lint, pet and human hair, dirt, and other organic debris
Since carpet beetles like dark places, it helps to move your furniture around occasionally
Store clothing properly. Clothes you don’t wear often, especially wool winter clothing, should be stored in
an airtight place.
Protect wool coats and sweaters with plastic bags.
Store winter clothing in plastic storage bags, plastic bins, or airtight metal containers.
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