Carpet beetles might not bite but can damage more than just your carpet. They will feed on fabrics from animal products such as wool, leather, fur, feathers, and silk. When an infestation happens in your house, you’ll look for any method to minimize damage. And one of the questions you might ask yourself is, does Lysol kill carpet beetles?
That’s what we shall be answering in this article. We’ll also discuss why carpet beetle seems always to return and whether vinegar and baking soda are effective ways to kill them. In addition to the questions, we will provide you with information on the smells they hate and which home remedies you can use to kill them.
Will Lysol Kill Carpet Beetles?
Lysol does not kill carpet beetles. It is a household disinfectant made up of lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and isopropyl alcohol. None of its components are strong enough to harm carpet beetles. However, Lysol can successfully kill carpet beetles when applied in high concentrations, but it is harmful to people and pets.
The isopropyl alcohol in Lysol can injure your eyes and affect your nervous system.
Lysol is also flammable; hence, you must be very careful when using it in the presence of flames. You should only use it in low quantities to clean your homes. Besides, Lysol does not affect carpet beetles’ eggs. It won’t work, and your kids and dogs will become sick if you use it.
Does Vinegar Kill Carpet Beetles?
Vinegar kills carpet beetles at their larvae stage and effectively repels adult carpet beetles. Its acidic nature dehydrates the larvae’s cells. The strong shell of a carpet beetle egg will make it difficult to destroy the larvae inside. However, because of their protective hard exoskeleton, adult carpet beetles cannot be killed by vinegar. But they will be put off by its odor.
To get rid of carpet bugs, use white or apple cider vinegar. The best vinegar to use is white vinegar, which won’t stain your fabric. But spray when there is less activity in the house due to its overpowering smell, which can irritate your kids or pets. Before going to bed, you can spray the rest of the house. You can do the cleaning in the morning. Spray the bedrooms in the morning, then clean them before evening.
The vinegar doesn’t need to be diluted; just put it in a spray bottle. Spray in all the areas where you’ve seen the carpet beetles and their larvae.
Don’t forget about the furniture, cupboards, closets, drapes, and other dark places in your home besides the carpets. It is advisable to wash everything in the dresser drawers and cabinets with vinegar if you identify any carpet beetle infestation.
What Home Remedy Kills Carpet Beetles?
It shouldn’t cost much to get rid of carpet bugs. The following natural treatments will get rid of carpet beetles in your house.
Frequent Vacuuming
Using a vacuum cleaner to eliminate carpet beetles in your home is simple. The most effective home remedy for killing carpet beetles is using heat. You can vacuum or steam clean to kill adult carpet beetles. Ensure to vacuum the upholstery and curtains and reach all corners.
When you’re done vacuuming, throw the vacuum bag away immediately. You should vacuum your whole house at least once a week and several times a day for the first few days. Remember to vacuum any fabric you can’t put in a washing machine. But first, confirm on the labels how you should clean each type of fabric.
Boric Acid
Another home remedy you can use to kill carpet beetles is boric acid. Along the edges of your carpet and furniture, sprinkle some boric acid. The acid will dehydrate the adult carpet beetle within two or three days and kill it. The fact that boric acid is a powder and you should only apply where there is no traffic is its only disadvantage.
What Smell Do Carpet Beetles Hate?
Carpet beetles follow the scents of animal products in your home using their sense of smell. The carpet beetles eat natural fiber in your clothes, rugs, and natural fabrics. By using scents that repel carpet beetles, you can stop them from getting to these products. They will be repelled by the smell while also being confused by them.
Use the smells listed below to ward off carpet beetles.
1. Cedar
Carpet beetles and other bugs are naturally repelled by cedar due to cedar’s powerful insecticidal properties. Carpet beetles particularly don’t like the smell since it is too strong. You will need to constantly add new cedar to your cloth storage area, as cedar quickly loses its effectiveness. You can buy Cedar Blocks from amazon.
Another option is to use cedarwood essential oil and make a spray. A spray makes it possible to spray any fabric that isn’t being stored and your entire room. You can refresh cedar blocks with cedarwood essential oil.
2. Cloves
You can use cloves as a whole, ground, or the clove essential oil. The most effective is whole cloves or essential oil. Put some cloves in pouches and place them in your clothes closets. You should spray where you’ve seen the carpet beetles and their larvae with a clove essential oil spray.
3. Peppermint
Additionally, carpet beetles hate the scent of peppermint. Peppermint essential oil can act as a natural insect repellent. You can use a peppermint oil spray or soak cotton balls in peppermint and spread them around your home. Put some potted peppermint in the areas of your home where carpet beetles are most likely to enter.
Does Baking Soda Kill Carpet Beetles?
Another effective method for eliminating carpet beetles is baking soda. Carpet beetles can die from contact alone, without even ingesting baking soda. The carpet beetle becomes dehydrated from absorbing baking soda through its body.
When the carpet beetle eats baking soda, the soda releases carbon dioxide within the beetle. The beetle’s tubes and intestines are filled with carbon dioxide, which results in blockage and death.
The sharp edges will cut the carpet beetle if the baking soda granules are swallowed. Massive internal bleeding will cause carpet beetles to die. We’ve highlighted some of the different ways you can use baking soda below:
- You can make a paste.
- Sprinkle baking soda.
- Make small piles around furniture and beds.
- Mix with water and make a spray.
Why Do Carpet Beetles Keep Coming Back?
Once they discover a place where they can survive, carpet beetles will return. Food is their primary attraction, so they will keep coming back. They will mostly eat animal protein-containing materials like fur, feathers, wool, and silk.
Dairy products that have been dried out and grains-based diets are accessible food sources for carpet beetles. Their larvae are attracted to seeds and pet food.
Adult carpet beetles also consume pollen and nectar from flowers. They can move from the flowers in your yard to the flower pots inside your home.
How Long Does It Take To Get Rid of Carpet Beetles?
Depending on your method, it may take some time before carpet beetles are wiped out completely. To get rid of carpet beetles, you can use various techniques. However, you must first ascertain whether they can get rid of the adult beetles, their eggs, and the larvae. You might not be able to eradicate the carpet beetles if the treatment fails to destroy the three.
Additionally, you should be aware that some methods may take a few days to work while others could take a few weeks. Most home remedies are temporary and may not assist you in eradicating a carpet beetle infestation. The best approach to get rid of carpet beetles is to get in touch with a pest control specialist.
How To Get Rid of Carpet Beetles?
If you know what to do, getting rid of carpet beetles shouldn’t be difficult. Using the methods mentioned below, you can eliminate any destructive larvae and adult carpet beetles:
1. Boric acid
Boric acid is usually sold in powder form at pharmacies or grocery stores. On carpet beetles, the acid has a poisonous effect. The ideal method is to sprinkle it over the affected areas and then spread it out evenly with a broom. After letting it sit for a few hours, thoroughly vacuum the area.
You can also make a boric acid spray to eliminate the carpet beetle larvae. Mix two cups of boiling water and add a tablespoon of boric acid. Stir until the powder is dissolved. Spray the mixture on any spots that were challenging to reach with the powder. You should spray on your furniture, drapes, pantries, closets, and other dark spaces.
2. Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth works by dehydrating the carpet beetle’s larvae. You can get it from agriculture feed stores or an online store like Amazon. Diatomaceous earth powder that is “food grade” is preferable because it is safer for people and animals.
You can scatter in the locations where the carpet beetles may have been seen. A mask is advised to prevent breathing in the powder’s tiny particles.
3. Insecticides
Another effective method that you can use to kill carpet beetles and their larvae is insecticide. Ensure you get an insecticide with the following chemicals: cyfluthrin, bifenthrin, and deltamethrin. You should first do a test spray on a small piece of fabric to confirm that the insecticide won’t stain.
Read the insecticide instructions carefully, as you should not use some insecticides around pets and humans. Remember to use protective clothing when using an insecticide.
4. Hormone-based glue traps
Severe infestations require the use of glue traps. Place the sticky glue traps all over your house to attract beetles and trap them. Don’t forget to place traps at entry points like doors, windows, and places where the infestation is severe. Check the traps 1-2 times per week. The traps are mainly sold online or in pest control supply stores.
With all the recommended solutions, killing carpet beetles should no longer be a problem. Avoid using Lysol. It’s poisonous and ineffective. Whatever method you choose, ensure that you clean your house thoroughly afterward.