Carpet beetles and borax

OldBird_2

MRSTITTLEMOUSE wrote: »

Funnily enough I've had these in my kitchen,they're not carpet beetle though.
I don't know what they are,my son-in law works for Rentokil and he does'nt know what they are either.
I've only found them now and again in mugs or bowls or hiding behind things on the granite worktops.
They don't seem to do any damage so I don't know what they eat but every now and again I'll find four or five of them within a few feet of each other.
I'd be interested to know what they are if you ever find out but despite searching the internet I can't find anything that looks like them.

I know from experience that you can send Rentokil an insect and they will identify it for you. Their website also has a really good Pest Guide section with pictures of pests which is how I identified my "Indian Meal Moth" last year!

Lizbetty

Diatometous earth is great stuff. It is perfectly safe to use, I think some people put it in their chickens food to help control internal parasites, which shows how safe it is. You can generally buy it food grade, in fact! It dries up any creepy crawlies, have a look at the link and it will explain in more detail.

It's worth googling for the cheapest as you can buy a huge quantity of the stuff from places that sell farm things, whereas if you buy it labelled 'pest control' in a fancy puffer thing it will probably be marked up in price.

We have booklice in our caravan and I'll be covering all the surfaces while it's not being used over winter to get rid if the little beggars.

We had carpet beetles. I absolutely FREAKED when I found them as I had two babies in the house. It made me feel as if the whole house was filthy. I'm not overly house proud, but any house eating creepy crawlies lump together with the whole cockroach thing in my head (which is nonsense, I know..!). Mine were in the carpet corners where the vac didn't quite get to. I don't have them now, but it could be because they probably don't like the smell of dog!

Sorry if someone else has mentioned diatometous earth btw, didn't have chance to read the whole thread.

Lizbetty

MRSTITTLEMOUSE wrote: »

Funnily enough I've had these in my kitchen,they're not carpet beetle though.
I don't know what they are,my son-in law works for Rentokil and he does'nt know what they are either.
I've only found them now and again in mugs or bowls or hiding behind things on the granite worktops.
They don't seem to do any damage so I don't know what they eat but every now and again I'll find four or five of them within a few feet of each other.
I'd be interested to know what they are if you ever find out but despite searching the internet I can't find anything that looks like them.

They sound like booklice - they're harmless and eat cellulose type things and flour. They're called booklice because they like the glue that binds books together. I think there's better pics if you google, (like this one? )but hope these are them. When I found out what they were in our caravan I felt a lot better about it!

Seakay

bellalulafarm wrote: »

I just bought a cowhide rug at a local collector's sale and discovered when I got it home small white specks attached to the hair shafts in multiple places on the rug. I have to pull the hair out to get them off, as they can't be detached from the hair itself. Their appearance is similar to head lice nits. I also found one larval husk that looks like a clothes moth husk. After reading this thread and many of the very helpful links attached, I'm wondering if they may be varigated carpet beetle eggs, but I can't seem to find a description of the eggs. I was going to freeze the hide for 2 weeks, and am considering using an insecticide or lice shampoo as well--any opinions on this? Potentially I may be able to return it as well; I like it, but I don't want to introduce an infestation into the house. Currently it is living on the clothesline.

Thanks.

According to this:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ig089
-20 degrees for three days should kill them off, so two weeks should really sort them out!

me12345678

I've had the same problem. Ever since I moved from my perfect house I used to have to this hovel I've lost the will to live ...

The house was covered in dog hair, the cooker was splattered in rotting food and disgusting wasn't the word, cleaned everything up but I've not had the money to change the dog smelling carpets and decorate ..an irony is I spent two days straight cleaning the house and cooker for the ungrateful kn*bheads we swapped homes with.

First we had a crazy horror film style infestation of flying ants. Unaware where they were coming from we searched around then moved some shoes in the corner of the kitchen and BAM, ant army chases after us. We vaccum them up and blast the corner with ant killer. Turns out they came through the wall!! Filled the hole and no sign since.

Problem sorted.. Then we had earwigs popping up from everywhere. One greeted me from my OXO cubes. I filled every hole in the walls and doors. No sign.

But now we have carpet beetles. And my house is literally spotless. Every night after my 8 hour shift. I vacuum the whole house, every room every nook and cranny, polish and dust everywhere, clean all the food and rubbish up after myself and STILL they are greeting me!I'm exhausted from doing this everynight of the week and would just LOVE to pay for pest control but my job is paying pennies and cannot afford it. I'm considering burning the bloody house down lol :rotfl: but that'd be daft...Have great pleasure killing the larvae and now I'm only finding adults now.Which is even worse because this means they will mate and produce even more. Ahhh someone help me :eek: I think I need psychological help soon because I dream about them :(

ANYONE know of a way to get rid f them once and for all without expensive pest control?

gina8888

Suzy,
THE SOLUTION.....Borax "20 Mule" can be bought at most grocery stores in the detergent sections... . It works great for all insects and stink bugs too. Not so much with roaches, I don't have anyway,but I live in a fairly old apt. Before, I knew what really worked ,stink bugs would come through the front door and balcony screen door. By the way, stink bugs and carpet beetles and bed bugs all attract each other with that danky smell they leave. Borax gets rid of that too!. You'll notice a fresher cleaner home in about a week! . Also, its a great laundry booster and overall neutralizes odor. Just wear gloves as it is highly irritating to the skin, if handling product. My cousin ,who used to work at a Pest Control company ,told me about this!! He told me most pest control companies lie.... Thats why he quit!!!!
So, sprinkle a generous amount of Borax, if you don't mind the mess, nearest to the front door ,or other entrances ,and keep it there for a week, or how ever long you like. It works!!
I saw a couple of DEAD stink bugs on their backs and dried up! Also, ,sprinkle some in the carpet,, wait 4 hours and then vacuum. Do this vacuuming at least 3xs a week important ,and do so habitually. You need 2 remove dead bugs you cannot see . <That's why you should vacuum thoroughly>.Be sure to always change the vacuum bags often or clean out a bagless vacuum. Also,I invested in a small carpet cleaner, as well...... Be sure to clean & get rid of clutter regularly .. No flea markets ,or 2nd hand furniture( if you do not know who it is from) never off the street.........My cousin said there is a lot of misinformation posted ,esp by pest control companies, because they want your business They need your business. They want you to feel hopeless, so you feel you need to spray needless poison which doesn't work on this type of beetle. Most of these companies send out people that don't even have a clue about what they are doing. Usually young kids. The companies want you to believe they are the only solution ....Guess what? Most of the time their highly toxic " solutions don't work, so they get you to pay for more "sprays" ....they got your $$.... Think about it.
Borax , and common sense is all you need .. (A reminder, these pests have come from poor countries via travel. )from very poor countries. Where they probably don't have vacuums and cleaning products. If any.
A bed bug needs water,they don't just live on blood. If you mix borax with equal parts of water they'll drink the water mixed with borax and die .Clean your mattress with this and it will keep them from breeding . if you unknowingly bring them in your home.
By the way throw away totally infested mattresses,or clothes. The idea here is to kill them by attrition.
BY THE WAY I HAVE A CAT WHO IS 17 YRS, and HE IS JUST FINE.
PEOPLE,! USE COMMON SENSE ! YOU KNOW THAT THESE PEST CONTROL COMPANIES SPRAY FAR MORE TOXIC AND CANCER CAUSING POISON? IT SMELLS AWFUL, ITS TOXIC TO YOU and your pets!
THE Pest Control COMPANIES USUALLY SAY YOU NEED TO "BOMB" OR "SPRAY" SEVERAL TIMES ,for more cash!!!!! DON'T BE FOOLED! MISINFORMATION AND GREED GO HAND AND HAND. PS: IN THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES, WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF OUR SOURCES OF INFORMATION ! USE COMMON SENSE! PS.. Pyrethrin sprays can work on your skin . It paralyzes the bugs if they bite. I know Head and Shoulders has an ingredient in the pyrethrin family.,as well. Glad to share some hope ,as infestations in our clean society. can be traumatic and cause hopeless feelings of embarrassment. Its not your fault.Esp when your in the dark about real information.
SLEEP TIGHT DON'T LET THE BED BUGS BITE!

gina8888

me12345678 wrote: »

I've had the same problem. Ever since I moved from my perfect house I used to have to this hovel I've lost the will to live ...

The house was covered in dog hair, the cooker was splattered in rotting food and disgusting wasn't the word, cleaned everything up but I've not had the money to change the dog smelling carpets and decorate ..an irony is I spent two days straight cleaning the house and cooker for the ungrateful kn*bheads we swapped homes with.

First we had a crazy horror film style infestation of flying ants. Unaware where they were coming from we searched around then moved some shoes in the corner of the kitchen and BAM, ant army chases after us. We vaccum them up and blast the corner with ant killer. Turns out they came through the wall!! Filled the hole and no sign since.

Problem sorted.. Then we had earwigs popping up from everywhere. One greeted me from my OXO cubes. I filled every hole in the walls and doors. No sign.

But now we have carpet beetles. And my house is literally spotless. Every night after my 8 hour shift. I vacuum the whole house, every room every nook and cranny, polish and dust everywhere, clean all the food and rubbish up after myself and STILL they are greeting me!I'm exhausted from doing this everynight of the week and would just LOVE to pay for pest control but my job is paying pennies and cannot afford it. I'm considering burning the bloody house down lol :rotfl: but that'd be daft...Have great pleasure killing the larvae and now I'm only finding adults now.Which is even worse because this means they will mate and produce even more. Ahhh someone help me :eek: I think I need psychological help soon because I dream about them :(

ANYONE know of a way to get rid f them once and for all without expensive pest control?

Suzy,
THE SOLUTION.....Borax "20 Mule" can be bought at most grocery stores in the detergent sections... . It works great for all insects and stink bugs too. Not so much with roaches, I don't have anyway,but I live in a fairly old apt. Before, I knew what really worked ,stink bugs would come through the front door and balcony screen door. By the way, stink bugs and carpet beetles and bed bugs all attract each other with that danky smell they leave. Borax gets rid of that too!. You'll notice a fresher cleaner home in about a week! . Also, its a great laundry booster and overall neutralizes odor. Just wear gloves as it is highly irritating to the skin, if handling product. My cousin ,who used to work at a Pest Control company ,told me about this!! He told me most pest control companies lie.... Thats why he quit!!!!
So, sprinkle a generous amount of Borax, if you don't mind the mess, nearest to the front door ,or other entrances ,and keep it there for a week, or how ever long you like. It works!!
I saw a couple of DEAD stink bugs on their backs and dried up! Also, ,sprinkle some in the carpet,, wait 4 hours and then vacuum. Do this vacuuming at least 3xs a week important ,and do so habitually. You need 2 remove dead bugs you cannot see . <That's why you should vacuum thoroughly>.Be sure to always change the vacuum bags often or clean out a bagless vacuum. Also,I invested in a small carpet cleaner, as well...... Be sure to clean & get rid of clutter regularly .. No flea markets ,or 2nd hand furniture( if you do not know who it is from) never off the street.........My cousin said there is a lot of misinformation posted ,esp by pest control companies, because they want your business They need your business. They want you to feel hopeless, so you feel you need to spray needless poison which doesn't work on this type of beetle. Most of these companies send out people that don't even have a clue about what they are doing. Usually young kids. The companies want you to believe they are the only solution ....Guess what? Most of the time their highly toxic " solutions don't work, so they get you to pay for more "sprays" ....they got your $$.... Think about it.
Borax , and common sense is all you need .. (A reminder, these pests have come from poor countries via travel. )from very poor countries. Where they probably don't have vacuums and cleaning products. If any.
A bed bug needs water,they don't just live on blood. If you mix borax with equal parts of water they'll drink the water mixed with borax and die .Clean your mattress with this and it will keep them from breeding . if you unknowingly bring them in your home.
By the way throw away totally infested mattresses,or clothes. The idea here is to kill them by attrition.
BY THE WAY I HAVE A CAT WHO IS 17 YRS, and HE IS JUST FINE.
PEOPLE,! USE COMMON SENSE ! YOU KNOW THAT THESE PEST CONTROL COMPANIES SPRAY FAR MORE TOXIC AND CANCER CAUSING POISON? IT SMELLS AWFUL, ITS TOXIC TO YOU and your pets!
THE Pest Control COMPANIES USUALLY SAY YOU NEED TO "BOMB" OR "SPRAY" SEVERAL TIMES ,for more cash!!!!! DON'T BE FOOLED! MISINFORMATION AND GREED GO HAND AND HAND. PS: IN THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES, WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF OUR SOURCES OF INFORMATION ! USE COMMON SENSE! PS.. Pyrethrin sprays can work on your skin . It paralyzes the bugs if they bite. I know Head and Shoulders has an ingredient in the pyrethrin family.,as well. Glad to share some hope ,as infestations in our clean society. can be traumatic and cause hopeless feelings of embarrassment. Its not your fault.Esp when your in the dark about real information.
SLEEP TIGHT DON'T LET THE BED BUGS BITE!

Bill_G

Hi all,

There is often contradictory information on the internet, which can be quite a problem. I want to warn you that a reputable looking site has mixed reviews of borax for carpet beetle control, but at least explains WHY. (CAN be toxic to pets & children especially, and may not help with carpet beetles).
HERE is the LINK (sorry, as a new user this site wont let me enter a clickable link)
pestweb.com/ask-mr-pest-control/a93ab7/beetles/borax-not-for-everyone
and Here is the general link. pestweb.com/ask-mr-pest-control/a417b/beetles
In addition, carpet beetles are small, and the adults can fly. They can enter even the cleanest house via a crack (caulk your windows, weather strip your doors, etc). Or they can hitch a ride in clothing, feathers, any product with natural fibers that someone brings into your home.