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If you notice tiny creepy-crawlies on your rug surface, you have a rug bug problem and you better deal with it ASAP! While most rug bugs don’t cause disease nor pose a threat to your health, they certainly are a menace for the rug itself. They tend to gnaw through the fabrics, destroying the entire weave. To top it up, these critters are fast breeders, multiplying overnight, and magnifying the rate of damage in no time. And if you don’t figure out how to get rid of rug bugs, they may start infesting your clothing, furniture, curtain, and upholstery too.
The positive news is that it is not impossible to get rid of them. We have compiled highly effective tips and tricks by carpet experts to help you learn how to get rid of rug bugs. In addition, we have also explained preventive measures to help you understand and remember how to maintain rugs in the future.
Step 1: Good Ol’ Vacuuming
The first step towards getting rid of rug bugs and carpet beetles is to vacuum the entire surface well. Try to be extra thorough with areas where larvae or adult bugs are easily visible.
Step 2: Steaming
Bugs hate a good steam cleaning session. So, you should go over the same spots with a steam cleaner. You can also call professional area rug cleaning services for this step. The combination of moisture and heat shall help get rid of any remaining eggs and larvae.
Step 3: Hot Water Wash
After steam cleaning, try to find a drop off rug cleaning near you or wash the rugs yourself in hot water. Ideally, you should also wash any clothing or upholstery that may have been in the same room as the infested rugs. In case any of the fabrics are too delicate, traditional dry cleaning will suffice. Alternatively, you could call professionals to disinfect the items.
Step 4: Use Cleaning Agents and Simple DIY Solutions
The resolution to “how to get rid of rug bugs” often lies in your pantry! You can use vinegar to wipe the infested surfaces. You could also use a solution of water and white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar to do the trick. Use the same mix to wipe surfaces where food particles may be lurking.
Usually, the above steps work efficiently when you want to get rid of rug bugs. In case the infestation is worse, you can sprinkle boric acid or spray the rugs with store-bought insecticides. Use the latter around baseboards, under the sinks, and in all crevices where bugs could be hiding. In the case of boric acid, you should leave the surface undisturbed for a few hours. Then, follow up with another round of vacuuming.
How to Protect Outdoor Rugs and Indoor Carpets
When all else fails, calling a professional exterminator is the best solution to your bug problem. You can ask them for all the advice you need to prevent the problem from recurring. In the meantime, read about a few basic hacks about how to maintain rugs and protect them.
- Ensure that your premises are free of bird nests and bird droppings.
- Repair your screens to prevent potential entryways for bugs.
- Apply an outdoor insecticide for carpet beetles around the perimeter of your house.
- Spray insecticides on the foundation of your home and the soil two to three feet out from the house.
- Repeat the above steps for potential entryways like vents, doors, windows, utility pipes, and so on.
- Allow natural sunlight to fall on your rugs from time to time.
Cleaning remains your number one deterrent to keeping rug bugs out of your house. Trash removal, regular vacuuming, and frequent laundering of clothing, linens and pillows will make your home less inviting to these pests.
