Carpet Bugs Will Be A Thing Of The Past With One Unexpected Kitchen Staple
Have you ever been indulging in a good book in the comfort of your home when all of a sudden, a small brown speckled, and actually sort of cute little beetle casually moseys across the page without a care in the world? Carpet bugs, also known as carpet beetles, cause damage to carpets, clothing, upholstered furniture, and even stored food products. Luckily, they can be put in their place by the magical kitchen staple, baking soda. While this powdery product doesn't kill on contact, it can dehydrate carpet beetles, which eventually leads to their demise. In addition to disrupting their ability to retain moisture, the alkaline nature and odor of baking soda acts like a deterrent, and makes them less likely to infest areas that have been treated with it. It basically makes the environment inhospitable and not suitable for survival and reproduction.
Carpet beetles undergo a complete metamorphosis consisting of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. By far, the larval stage is the most destructive, because these little pests feed on a wide variety of organic materials, including animal-based products like wool, fur, silk, and leather. Plant-based materials like cotton and synthetic fibers aren't off limits, either. Adult carpet beetles are drawn to light and are mainly active during the summer months, which is when they're actively reproducing and laying eggs.
There are multiple ways baking soda can be used
There are several effective methods for using baking soda to eliminate carpet beetles. One approach is to generously sprinkle baking soda on your carpets, paying special attention to where you've seen carpet beetles congregating. You can also make a mixture of baking soda and water in a spray bottle to use on hard to reach spots, like creases in your furniture. This solution forms a barrier that the beetles will either walk through or the larvae will consume and die. Letting it set overnight will yield you better results.
Another technique involves laying out small piles of baking soda around the legs of furniture. As carpet beetles climb up or fall off these furnishings, they will come into contact with the baking soda, which will coat them and dehydrate them. Alternately, you can make a thick baking soda paste by combining a larger amount of baking soda with water. It should resemble the consistency of honey. Apply this paste to suspected areas where carpet beetles may be entering or hiding, or in wood siding, walls, or the undersides of furniture. A word of caution, though is, that this paste can get a bit messy.
Other ways to eradicate carpet beetles
In addition to the baking soda methods discussed above, there are a few other methods you can use to keep carpet beetles at bay. The first is regular vacuuming, which will physically remove these bugs, their larvae, and unhatched eggs from your residence. Steam cleaning not only cleans your surroundings, but the high temperatures obliterate anything that's living in your carpets or furniture. After doing an initial round of steaming, let the surface dry completely and then follow up with a vacuum to remove any dead beetles. Washing items like pillows and-or furniture cushions in hot water can also eliminate them. Carpet beetles can't stand the smell of vinegar, so spraying a mixture of apple cider or white vinegar and water is another easy deterrent.
Diatomaceous earth is one more alternative that can effectively knock down your carpet beetle population. Simply sprinkle this powder around your home, focusing on areas where these beetles hang out, like rugs and-or in the back of closets. Always purchase food-grade diatomaceous earth, and always wear a mask to prevent accidental inhalation. When in doubt, if the infestation doesn't seem to improve or things are looking worse, it's always a good idea to call in a professional exterminator.