How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetle Larvae
Carpet beetle larvae (also called rug beetle larvae) are the immature stage of the varied carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci). While the adult beetles feed primarily on pollen and nectar outdoors, it is the larvae that do the real damage inside your home.
- Wool: Rugs, blankets, and sweaters.
- Silk: High-end clothing and curtains.
- Leather: Bookbindings and furniture.
- Animal Hair: Pet fur, feathers, and even human hair accumulations in baseboards.
- Lint trapped under heavy furniture and dust bunnies.
- Dried food items in the pantry.
If you have already discovered an active infestation, sanitation alone might not be enough to save your fabrics. At this stage, it is often necessary to hire a professional pest control company in Sydney to eliminate the population. However, chemical treatments are only half the battle.
Many homeowners find that even after professional spraying, the beetles return just a few months later. This happens because chemicals eventually wear off, but the organic food sourcesāthe dust, pet hair, and lintāremain.
To achieve a permanent solution, cleaning must be used as a primary form to avoid this issue. By meticulously removing the environment where these larvae thrive, you stop the infestation at the root.
- Vigorous Vacuuming: Larvae hate being disturbed. High-powered equipment removes the larvae and their food source.
- Steam Cleaning: Heat kills eggs and larvae instantly.
- Decluttering: Removing the “hiding spots” where dust tends to accumulate.
- Clean your rugs at least once a year. Pro Tip: Schedule a deep clean at least twice a year to ensure organic debris doesn’t accumulate.
- Don’t ignore the “dust under the bed.”
- Store seasonal clothing in airtight containers.
- Move furniture occasionally to clean underneath.
