Carpet Beetle Traps: What Are They and How Do They Work?
Carpet beetles are one destructive species. This guide on carpet beetle traps will explain what they are, how they work, and some alternative options for getting rid of carpet beetles.
Carpet beetles may appear small and harmless, but the truth is that these little bugs can destroy fabrics, textiles, and furniture in short order. Luckily, there are carpet beetle traps designed just for the job of handling these nasty buggers. But, if you’re not sure how they work, or if they’re worth it, this guide has you covered.
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What Are Carpet Beetles?
The varied carpet beetle is a small insect that can do a lot of damage. As the name suggests, these beetles can infest carpets and other fabrics, leaving clothes, curtains, and furniture in shambles when they’re gone. They’re most active during the late summer and early fall, but they can be active during the winter as well.
Adults measure between 1/16 and ⅛-inch in length. Their colors range from black to brown with mottled spots of yellow, orange, white, or gray. They have six legs and feed on the nectar and pollen of flowers, so they’re typically found outside.
However, it’s not the adults you have to worry about with these crawling pests. It’s their larvae.
The adults don’t chew fabric. However, female carpet beetles lay eggs in carpets and fabrics, and the larvae that emerge from those carpet beetle eggs feed on the fabric (similar to how a drain fly lays eggs in the sludge in a drain for its maggots to eat). The carpet beetle larvae, also called wooly bears, are just under ¼-inch, and they’re brown, tan, or cream in color, with dark brown heads and hairs on their backs. And, carpet beetle infestations can get out of hand quickly.
How To Tell If You Have a Carpet Beetle Infestation
Varied carpet beetles are very small, so it may be hard to tell if you have a problem right away. Here are some tell-tale signs that an infestation may be brewing:
- Seeing multiple adult carpet beetles crawling in the home.
- Damage to carpets, such as thin areas or holes.
- Holes in clothing or on furniture fabric.
- Discarded grub shells from which the adult beetle emerged.
Also, adult carpet beetles’ instincts tell them to head outside and mate shortly after emerging. For this reason, small beetles heading toward windows and glass doors is a tell-tale sign of an infestation.
Are Carpet Beetles Harmful?
No, carpet beetles aren’t harmful to humans or pets. Carpet beetles feed on carpets, but they do not bite or sting, and they aren’t poisonous. However, they can cause allergic reactions, and they can easily eat through clothes, rugs, and furniture. These bugs can ruin an entire wardrobe if left unchecked.
Do Carpet Beetles Poop?
Yes, carpet beetles do poop. However, what their poop might look like can be challenging to answer. First, understand that adult beetles want to be outside, not inside. And, since they’re more focused on mating than feeding, they can go their whole adult lives without eating. For this reason, running into adult carpet beetle poop is unlikely.
It’s far more likely to come in contact with carpet beetle larvae poop. This poop, however, is very small and will be the color of the last curtain, carpet, or sweater they snacked on, so there is no definitive answer. However, these points should answer all of the carpet beetle poop questions:
- Carpet beetle poop probably smells, but humans can’t smell it (and it’s nothing like a stink bug’s poop)
- Carpet beetle poop does not stain fabric or textiles
- Humans are highly unlikely to see beetle poop with their bare eyes
What Are Carpet Beetle Traps?
Obviously, it’s a good idea to get a carpet beetle infestation under control right away. To do so, many pest control companies sell traps. These traps attract the adult beetles (and larvae, if placed correctly) and catch them, preventing them from escaping. The bugs eventually die in the trap.
Types of Traps
There are two different types of traps. They include pheromone traps and standard sticky traps. The following will explain the differences and highlight an option or two to consider.
- Pheromone traps are designed to attract adult carpet beetles. These traps contain pheromones that attract carpet beetles, drugstore beetles, and other insects, may associate with mating. As they enter the trap looking for love, they touch the sticky floor or wall and get stuck. Eventually, they dehydrate and die.
- Sticky traps are similar to pheromone traps with the exception that they don’t attract the bug. Rather, they’re meant for the bug to walk over them during their travels. Once they do, they stick to the walls or floor of the trap and can’t escape. Again, they dehydrate and die. These can catch lot of other bugs, including flies, earwigs, moths, roaches, and other bugs without even attempting to attract them.
Do Carpet Beetle Traps Work?
Carpet beetle traps can work at catching full-grown carpet beetles, particularly when it comes to pheromone traps. However, adults are rarely the problem, and these traps do nothing for carpet beetle larvae. The best chance at controlling the population is by using these traps in conjunction with other carpet beetle control methods.
Note: Does trapping carpet beetles work? They definitely work, and we do like that they don’t typically contain pesticides, which means that they’re generally environmentally safe (though they can easily catch pollinators accidentally). But they can also catch drugstore beetles, rice moths, and a variety of other pests as well. They can even catch bed bugs, but a bed bug spray or steamer would be far more effective. However, a pile of dead bugs in a sticky little cardboard house has never appealed to us. Also, imagine the scene if Rover gets a hold of a dead bug-laden trap.. Gross.
Where To Place Carpet Beetle Traps
Knowing that traps are most helpful at controlling adult beetles, it helps to know where to place them. Place these traps in window sills, the floor under window sills, along walls where people and pets do not walk, and in closets.
Keep in mind that bringing a pheromone trap into a closet may actually attract insects that weren’t already in the closet. You actually be attracting clothes moths to the closet instead. We know, this is not an exact science, but this information may prove helpful in the long run. Just make sure to make the trap easy to get to and change it often.
Ways To Get Rid of Carpet Beetles without Carpet Beetle Traps
While carpet beetle traps may be a useful tool in the fight, there are other ways to get rid of these pesky bugs. The following options are some of the most tried-and-true methods for getting rid of carpet beetles.
Vacuum
One of the most effective ways to get rid of carpet beetles is thoroughly vacuuming the carpet, and doing so frequently. Removing the food sources (the loose fibers), larvae, and adults from a carpet disrupts the life cycle.
Start by vacuuming the areas that have seen the most damage. Once these areas are thoroughly vacuumed, remove the vacuum bag and seal it in a garbage bag before throwing it out. Then continue vacuuming throughout the house. Don’t forget to use the nozzles to get into every nook and cranny where carpet beetles can hide.
Essential Oils
Creating a solution of essential oils can help with killing carpet beetles. Certain oils, like peppermint and clove oil, are toxic to carpet beetles. And, like carpet beetle traps, clove essential oil and peppermint oil are relatively safe for pets and children, allergies notwithstanding. The same applies to citronella essential oil.
Essential oils really are incredible when it comes to combating household pests. They can make the house smell fresh while even keeping nasty bugs like flies from laying eggs in trash cans. They’re certainly worth keeping around to kill and repel carpet beetles and other pests.
Mix a few drops of peppermint oil, a few drops of clove oil, and a cup of distilled water in a spray bottle. Spray the areas where the damage is most noticeable. As carpet beetles frequent these areas, they’ll come in contact with the oils and die over time.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth, or DE, kills carpet beetles, and it’s one of our favorite products for killing pests. This powder is made up of tiny crystallized organisms. These organisms are sharp and jagged, and as a bug walks across them, they gouge the bugs’ bodies open and cause them to dehydrate. And, since food-grade diatomaceous earth is meant to be mixed into food, it’s pretty safe. Here’s how to apply it to a carpet:
- Purchase food-grade DE powder
- Wear a mask, gloves, and safety glasses. The powder can be irritating in its concentrated form.
- Use a spoon to sprinkle the DE powder into a duster
- Squeeze the duster over the carpet surface
- Rub the powder into the carpet with a stiff broom to ensure it’s distributed evenly
- Vacuum the powder and dead bugs up 24 hours later
- Repeat the process once a week for four weeks
As a rule, 1 pound of diatomaceous earth powder should cover around 400 square feet. Using this powder as well as carpet beetle traps can help users control their infestation quickly.
Insecticides
There are several insecticides that are effective against carpet beetles. Products that contain deltamethrin, bifenthrin, or cyfluthrin will attack the carpet beetle larvae and adults. They disrupt their central nervous systems, ultimately leading to their death.
At RiddaBugs, we prefer natural pest control methods over insecticides and chemicals. However, we also know that some folks need a fast solution, as their problem is quickly getting out of control. For carpet beetles, Ortho offers an indoor insect barrier that may work. However, it’s critical that users follow the directions carefully, especially regarding the safety of their pets and family.
Insecticides used in conjunction with carpet beetle traps and DE powder can be an extremely effective approach to pest control. They can also be effective at killing other insects, such as sugar ants.
FAQs
That’s a pretty decent primer on carpet beetle traps. But there may still be some questions that need answering. The following sections contain some of the most frequently asked questions about carpet beetles and their control methods.
What is the fastest way to get rid of carpet beetles?
The fastest way to get rid of carpet beetles is to use insecticide. However, for folks who’d prefer a more natural approach, we believe a plan containing carpet beetle traps, vacuuming, diatomaceous earth, and essential oil sprays to be very effective.
What scent keeps carpet beetles away?
Carpet beetles do not like the scent of peppermint. Spraying a light mist of peppermint oil-infused water over furniture and carpets can help keep them from making lunch out of that sofa. However, be sure to spray a small area first to ensure it doesn’t stain.
Can you treat carpet beetles yourself?
You absolutely can treat carpet beetles yourself. However, be sure to take action as soon as their presence is known to ensure that the infestation doesn’t get out of control. Carpet beetle traps, vacuuming, diatomaceous earth, and essential oil sprays are helpful.
What time of year do carpet beetles come out?
Carpet beetles tend to come out in the spring and summer. This is the ideal time of the year for the adults to feed and mate. However, carpet beetle larvae take up to 2 years to become adults, so they can do a lot of damage any time of the year.
What should I do if I have carpet beetles?
The first thing you should do is vacuum the carpet thoroughly and wash any clothing that’s been affected. Next, apply diatomaceous earth to the fabric (except if it’s furniture as it can be irritating to skin). Then place carpet beetle traps on window sills and on the carpet. Finally, apply essential oil sprays and vacuum frequently.
Does peppermint oil kill carpet beetles?
Yes, peppermint oil does kill carpet beetles. However, it’s expensive so it’s best to dilute it with distilled water.
