Carpet beetles are not only annoying for homeowners across the world, but they can cause damage to rugs, carpets and other fabrics. Likely, these nuisances can be spotted easily and, with the help of pest control services, can be expelled from your home.
If you or a family member find these beetles in your home, your best bet is to create a pest management plan with the professionals because these beetles can lay eggs in lint that may take more than a year to hatch. Even if you think you kicked them out, a trained eye may be able to spot eggs that can cause future infestations.
Here are some of the best ways to spot and prevent carpet beetles from causing a ruckus in your home.
Carpet beetles are oval-shaped and between 2.5 and 5 millimeters. Black carpet beetles have a black back, while common carpet beetles are spotted with orange and white. Although they have legs and antennae, these beetles can sometimes look more button-like than beetle-like.
Although the beetles aren't particularly hard to spot, it's the larvae that cause all of the fabric damage. With a larval stage that can stretch from 70 days to more than 300 in certain breeds, it's important to keep an eye out for these hairy worm or caterpillar-like larvae. Although often found outdoors, carpet beetles can live in dark, undisturbed places including closets, under furniture and below floor boards. Damage to clothing, fabrics and rugs is usually in the form of small holes or uneven fur lines.
The best defenses against an invasion of carpet beetles are vigilance and good housekeeping. Frequent vacuuming, sweeping and cleaning can kill eggs that have been laid as well as limit the attractiveness of various potential habitats in your home. Pay particular attention to your closets and pantries as well as underneath rugs and furniture.
Exposing carpets and rugs to sunlight can help prevent beetles from using them as protection or habitat. The National Pest Information Center advised that people also check flowers and plants that they bring indoors to ensure that they aren't transporting pests in too.
If people follow these practices and still experience an infestation, the NPIC explained that they should have their air ducts inspected, as they're often the source of a pest issue.
For homeowners who need further preventive measures than vigilance and cleanliness, there are pesticides and other solutions that pest control services can provide to reduce your risk of infestation.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
