Not a lot of homeowners realise how much damage a little carpet beetle can do! These little critters actually eat into the fibres and fabric of carpets and rugs, leaving the material to come apart over time. What’s worse is that they are not necessarily confined to just carpeting; no, carpet beetles get around and can even make their way to your wardrobe, couches and other upholstery/fabrics. Well, you can’t have that!
While a carpet bug infestation may require the workings of a pest control company, a less severe case can be tackled by the average homeowner by following a few instructions. What might these steps be, you ask? Read on to find out!
Step 1: Vacuum Thoroughly
This is probably the most obvious step to mention but quite frankly, the most important one! Vacuuming every inch of your carpet is necessary to remove as many beetles as possible. For this reason, we advise vacuuming your carpet twice (or thrice) for better results. Of course, it’s likely that a few bugs which are snuggled deep within the weave will escape the suction of your vacuum but we will get to those in a bit! After you’ve finished vacuuming, be sure to take the bag/canister outside and empty it immediately. Do this by emptying the rubbish into a garbage bag and tie it up securely before disposing of it in a dumpster.
Step 2: Spray with Eco-Friendly Bug Killer
There are plenty of insect repellents or bug killing sprays available on the market; however, it’s important to check for any harmful chemicals contained in these products. Whether you have kids and pets or live alone, chemical-based bug killers are not advised for a number of health-related reasons. On the other hand, you can find quite a few organic bug sprays that are slower in effect but get the job done nonetheless! To use a bug killer spray effectively on your carpet, take a soft-bristled brush and (gently) ruffle up the fibres before spraying on the product. This allows the spray to penetrate the weave where ‘the ones that got away’ may be hiding. Apart from this, there could be beetle larvae which will be killed by the spray.
Step 3: Sprinkle Boric Acid Powder
As a non-toxic agent to humans, boric acid (borax) is a very safe and effective ingredient for repelling carpet beetles. You will need a fair amount of the powder to sprinkle all over your carpet for best results. Wait until the carpet fibres are completely dry from the bug spray before you use borax on your carpet. After you’ve sprinkled enough powder over the entire carpet, avoid walking over it for about 3-4 hours. It’s also advisable the keep your pets away from boric acid as they may develop allergies to the powder. Typically, borax is considered to be safe for animals but why take that chance, right?
Step 4: Vacuum Up the Powder
After the boric acid has had enough time to work on the carpet (the longer you wait, the more effective it is), you will need to vacuum the carpet again. This should be done in a thorough manner; however, there’s no need to vacuum repeatedly in order to remove borax that has settled deep within the weave. In fact, any remnants will ward off carpet beetles for some time to come!
Step 5: Deep Clean Upholstery
To be on the safe side, it’s advisable to deep clean any upholstery around the carpet as some beetles may have strayed away and made their home in these fabrics. If this is the case, they will multiply and find their way back to your carpet. To deep clean your upholstery, vacuum the material thoroughly using an appropriate attachment. Don’t leave out any crevices or narrow spaces as bugs tend to hide in these areas. Next, make a solution of white vinegar and water (equal parts) and spritz it over the upholstery; leave it to air dry. Vinegar acts as a natural bug repellent that doesn’t stain or smell.
As a preventive measure, repeat step 3 and step 4 once a month to keep those destructive carpet beetles at bay!
If you are looking to hire professionals for your carpet cleaning then Carpet Kings are the expert carpet cleaners that offer services for Sydney, Mosman, Potts Point, Drummoyne, Kirribilli, Marrickville, Pyrmont, Randwick, Redfern,Strathfield, Parramatta, and other suburbs throughout Sydney.
