What Bugs Might Hide in Your Home Carpet?
Carpet warms the floor for bare feet and traps dust, reducing allergens, but it can also hide more than dirt in its deep pile: we’re talking about bugs.
Bugs hiding in your home's carpet can cause significant damage to your belongings and the people in your home. But especially if your carpet is thick, bugs absolutely can conceal themselves right below your feet.
At IPM Pest & Termite, near Lexington, Kentucky, we can identify and remove bugs from your carpet. We can help you identify the problem and teach you how to get rid of carpet bugs. We can also help you prevent their return.
Top 3 Bugs Found in Home Carpets
While this is not an exhaustive list of potential insects found in carpets, these are three common bugs that easily conceal themselves within you rugs or carpeting:
Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles are minuscule pests, only 2-5mm long, that devour raw materials like wool, cotton, and silk. In the egg stage and adult stage, they’re harmless, but the larvae will create holes in your carpet, clothing, upholstery, and other linens, including stored items.
There are several different species of carpet beetles, and they range in color from black to a mix of white, yellow, brown, and black, so they blend in almost perfectly with your carpet. However, you may notice adults near windows, holes in fabric, shed larval skins, and larvae moving around under furniture.
Bed Bugs
The size of an apple seed (5-7mm), bed bugs have flat, reddish-brown bodies that become swollen and elongated when they’ve been fed. You may notice 2-3 itchy bites grouped together.
Other bed bug infestation signs include small black or brown stains, cast skins, and groups of bugs on beds or couches.
Fleas
Fleas are brownish-red blood suckers that are about 3 mm long. They cling to hair shafts with long spines and claws. You’re most likely to notice them if you have a dog or cat itching or if you see them jump. Fleas jump up to a foot. They may also bite around your ankle.
Other signs that could indicate fleas include black spots, like pepper, on the skin. Pets may also have hair loss and be restless because they’re constantly being bitten.
How to Get Rid of Carpet Bugs
The best way to get most bugs from carpet, including carpet bugs, bed bugs, and fleas, is by vacuuming aggressively and vindictively, three to five times per day. Fabric items, including dog beds, need to be washed in hot water and subjected to other heat treatments. Items that can’t be washed can be dry-cleaned.
To get rid of fleas, you also need to treat the host animal, since that’s where the adults are most found.
If you have a bad infestation, call IPM Pest & Termite. We can remove carpet bugs and introduce preventive measures, so they don’t return.
Contact Us to Get Rid of Bugs from Carpet
Don’t let a carpet bug infestation slide. Let IPM Pest & Termite stop it fast. Located near Lousiville and Lexington, Kentucky, we’re familiar with local pests, including bugs, and can quickly identify your problem and offer solutions. Act now to reclaim your carpets and keep out seasonal pests.
For a quote or to learn about our services, submit our contact form. For our clients near Lexington & Central KY, call (859) 340-1403. For clients near Louisville, KY, call (502) 399-4536. A member of our team is standing by to help you treat and remove pests from your home now!
