You often don’t notice the subtle signs of a beetle infestation in your home until it’s too late. One of the most common signs that you might have some extra friends in your home is having lots of small holes in your bedding or clothing.
Beetles love to bite through fabrics and they tend to live in your carpets, hidden from your immediate sight. When you suspect that you have a beetle infestation in your home, take a good look at your carpets, floorboards, rugs, furniture upholstery, and closets.
Beetles like to hide in dark areas that are quiet and undisturbed. You might also find beetles around your yard, so take a good look outside as well.
Once you’ve noticed that you have a beetle infestation, you should take action as quickly as possible. The quicker you kill the existing beetles, the easier it will be to get rid of them altogether.
If you have a large number of bugs living in your carpets, you may need to call a beetle control company. Professional companies will have all of the best, most powerful equipment to kill every last bug in your home.
There are lots of home remedies that you can use to control your infestation and get rid of small numbers of beetles. Here are some top ways to banish the beetles from your home.
Vacuum Your Carpet
As simple as it may sound, one of the most effective ways of getting rid of carpet beetles is giving your carpets or laminate flooring an extensive vacuum.
Focus on removing as much dust, debris, and beetle larvae (eggs) from your carpet. Pay particular attention to any holes or cracks on your flooring, as these are the areas where you are most likely to find pests.
Use Insecticide Sprays and Bait Stations
Once you’ve given your home a vacuum, apply an insecticide to the affected areas. Again, focus on the cracks and crevices where beetles are most likely to reside.
There are lots of different insecticides that you can buy. Make sure that you wear personal protective equipment (such as goggles and thick gloves) when you spray the insecticides across your home. Many sprays contain chemicals that may irritate your skin and eyes.
Bait stations can also be used to help you get rid of beetles. They use bait that emits a scent that attracts beetles. When the beetles crawl towards the bait, they get killed very quickly. The only downside to using bait stations is that you have to dispose of the dead beetles afterward.
Use Essential Oils
Essential oils are a great pest repellent. In particular, peppermint essential oil is known to repel beetles and help to reduce the severity of an infestation.
In a spray bottle, mix a few drops of peppermint essential oil with a cup of water. Spray the mixture along the edges of each room, in the nooks and crannies of your floorboards, and around your vents and windows. You might need to apply a few coats each week for maximum effects.