Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals during the night. These pesky pests are known for their ability to infest a variety of spaces, including carpets, which can make them particularly tricky to get rid of. Not only are they difficult to spot, but bed bugs in carpets have a notorious reputation for being challenging to eradicate once they have made themselves at home. Do you know how to get bed bugs out of carpet?
In this article, we will explore the most effective ways of getting rid of bed bugs from carpets, backed by research on the subject, to ensure that you can finally get a good night’s sleep.
With our comprehensive guide, you can say goodbye to these unwelcome visitors and restore your home to its bug-free state.
How to Get Bed Bugs Out of Carpet
The basic method for eliminating bed bugs from carpet includes:
- Remove all furniture from the floor where the bed bugs are living.
- Spread silica gel into all areas
- Let sit for at least 24 hours
- Vacuum well and eliminate the bag.
- Repeat every 2 weeks for 2-3 months
- Use bed bug traps to test for effectiveness.
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Do Bed Bugs Live In Carpet?
Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that are notorious for their ability to infest homes and cause discomfort through their bites. Bed bugs are known to be found in a variety of locations in the home, including bedding, the mattress, furniture, and even carpets.
In fact, furniture and carpets are a known hiding spot for bed bugs, as they offer numerous crevices and fibers for the bugs to burrow into.
Bed bugs are attracted to their hosts by the carbon dioxide they exhale and the warmth of their bodies. This makes carpets an ideal place for them to hide and wait for their next meal, which can be a human or even a pet.
Once bed bugs have established themselves in a carpet, they can be difficult to remove, as they reproduce quickly and can survive for long periods of time without feeding.
To prevent a bed bug infestation in carpets, it is important to vacuum regularly and thoroughly, paying special attention to areas where pets may spend time.
Additionally, it is important to inspect second-hand furniture or bedding before bringing it into the home, as these items are often a source of bed bug infestations.
Can Bed Bugs Get Underneath Carpet?
One question that frequently comes up when dealing with a bed bug problem is whether or not they can get underneath carpet.
The answer is yes, bed bugs can indeed hide underneath carpet. In fact, they are known to use any crevice or crease in a room to hide and breed, and carpet fibers provide the perfect place for them to do so.
Unfortuantely, Bed bugs can slide easily under the edges of carpet and make their way deep into the padding and sub-flooring, where they can go undetected for long periods of time.
To make matters worse, carpeting can also provide insulation for bed bug eggs and nymphs, helping them survive and thrive even when extermination efforts are underway.
This means that if you have bed bugs in your home, you cannot just rely on vacuuming or having your entire carpet steam cleaned to get rid of them before they spread.
Do I Have Bed Bugs or Carpet Beetles?
Bed bugs and carpet beetles are both household pests that can cause problems and discomfort for homeowners. However, they differ in their appearance and behavior, which can help determine whether one has bed bugs or carpet beetles.
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that typically feed on human blood during the night. They hide in cracks and crevices near beds, and their bites can leave itchy welts on the skin. Signs of a bed bug infestation may include rust-colored stains on sheets and mattresses, the presence of molted skins, and a sweet, musty odor.
The carpet beetle has the following characteristics; small, oval-shaped insects with an array of colors, including black, white, and orange. Fun fact: the larva of carpet battles look like fuzzy miniature caterpillars or longer worms in the larval stage. They feed on natural fibers, including carpets, fabrics, and upholstery, and can cause damage to these materials. Signs of a carpet beetle infestation may include small holes in fabrics or carpets, signs of shed skin, and adult beetles or larvae in the area.
To determine whether one has any kind of bugs in your carpet, it is helpful to inspect the affected area carefully. Bed bugs tend to congregate (and can easily hide) near beds or even a table leg, while carpet beetles may be found in carpets, closets, or other areas with fabric materials. Additionally, homeowners can use sticky traps, have the carpet steam cleaned, or employ professional treatment services (pest control) to confirm the type of pest and develop an effective treatment plan to get rid of bed bugs in your carpet.
Overall, identifying the type of pest is essential to ensure effective treatment and management. Although both bed bugs and carpet beetles can be problematic, taking the necessary steps to prevent and control infestations can help maintain a healthy and comfortable living environment.
How To Get Bed Bugs Out Of Carpet Step By Step
Clear The Floor Of All Furniture
Clearing the room and floor completely is an essential step to remove bed bugs. Not only does this provide a clean slate for treatment, but it also eliminates any hiding places that these pests may have. Bed bugs crawl and are notorious for hiding in every crack and crevice, from the seams of mattresses to the folds of curtains. As a result, it is crucial not to overlook anything during the cleaning process to properly get rid of bed bugs in your carpet.
To begin, remove all furniture and personal belongings from the room. This includes dressers, nightstands, and even picture frames on the walls. Bed bugs can hide in the smallest of spaces, so it is crucial to thoroughly inspect these items before taking them out of the room. Additionally, it is important to place all smaller items in a sealed plastic bag or a garbage bag to keep the spread of bed bugs from other parts of your home during removal.
Double-Sided Tape For Bed Bugs
One common DYI method for catching bed bugs is to put double sticky table along the edges of your mattress, or corners of the floor. The idea is that the bed bugs, which do not leap or fly, will have to walk across the tape and will get stuck. In reality, most professionals say that this method in not effective at all. Most tests have shown that the bed bugs do not have the weight to get stuck on tape and will walk right across it.
Silica Gel Kills Bed Bugs
Your next step is to sprinkle some silica gel on the carpet to destroy bed bugs. Silica Gel is the substance that is inside those little packets you see in the packaging of most electronics. They absorb moisture and keep the electronics safe. This moisture absorption is the very reason that silica powder works on bedbugs. It has no smell, so the critters will wander right into it. Within 24 hours the silica draws all of the moisture out of the bug’s body, rendering it dead.
- You need to get your hands on as much silica gel as possible to cover bed and carpet.
- Spread the gel over the bed and carpet or area rugs.
- It is recommended that you leave for at least 24 hours. Ideally, it should be left for a long time to get rid of bed bugs.
- Vacuum the bed and carpets very well and then empty the bag or container outside the house.
- Diatomaceous Earth also works well in this regard, but silica gel is considered better.
- Repeat this treatment every 2 weeks for a couple of months to completely break the life cycle.
Choose Your Vaccum Wisely
When it comes to fighting a bed bug infestation, choosing the right vacuum cleaner is essential for success. Bed bugs are notorious for being intrepid explorers; they will go to great lengths to hide from detection and escape from danger. As such, using a bagless vacuum cleaner to catch bed bugs would be unwise.
The problem with bagless vacuums is that they lack the necessary safety features to prevent bed bugs from escaping the vacuum cleaner hose or making their way through the plastic casing. This means that after a rigorous vacuuming session, bed bugs will still find their way back into your house, resulting in a re-infestation.
To avoid dealing with a frustrating cycle of bed bug infestations, it is crucial to opt for a vacuum cleaner bag equipped with a high-quality filtration bag or a sealed HEPA filter. These types of vacuum cleaners ensure that bed bugs remain trapped within the vacuum cleaner and won’t escape and spread during use or afterward.
Additionally, it’s crucial to empty the vacuum cleaner immediately after every use to prevent bed bugs from escaping and migrating back to re-infest. By taking these necessary precautions, you can significantly reduce your chances of dealing with a severe bed bug problem and successfully eliminate these unwelcome guests from your house.
Vacuum Bed Bugs Thoroughly
If you are dealing with a bed bug infestation, vacuuming is an essential step in the removal process. But remember, it won’t kill bed bugs! It will aid in getting rid of bed bugs that are dead though. It’s important to vacuum thoroughly, taking the time to go over every inch of affected areas at least twice.
Vaccum Using Attachments
It’s crucial to get every single particle of dust and debris, as well as any bed bugs, alive or dead. Bed bugs are notorious for hiding in cracks and crevices, so pay extra attention to these areas. Use the crevice tool attachment on your vacuum to reach into tight spaces.
However, it’s important not to use the brush or bristles on your vacuum’s head. These may actually spread the bed bugs and their eggs around rather than effectively removing them. Instead, consider using a HEPA filter, which can capture tiny particles, including bed bug eggs.
Also, be sure to empty your vacuum outside immediately after use to prevent any remaining bed bugs from escaping into your home. And don’t forget to dispose of the vacuum bag or clean the dust bin thoroughly to prevent any possible re-infestation.
In short, vacuuming is an essential part of eliminating bed bugs from your home. By taking the time to do it properly, you’ll increase your chances of getting rid of these pesky insects once and for all.
Can You Steam Clean Bed Bugs?
Heat treatment works! Yes, using steam cleaners with extreme heat and carpet shampoo will kill bed bugs and their eggs. However, there is no guarantee that the bed bugs will be eradicated by this method, so you must perform this step only after you have already taken steps to get rid of the bed bugs in your carpet (such as vacuuming).
It is crucial that you perform steam cleaning correctly, as it constitutes the first significant step leading up to actually killing bed bugs and the eggs. Start by purchasing or renting a heavy-duty steam cleaner. Proceed as follows to get rid of bed bugs in your carpet:
- Add some cleaning solution or shampoo to the cleaner and fill it with hot HOT water. Feel free to use a compound that’s safe for you to breathe in, won’t react with your cleaning solution, and won’t stain your carpets if you use one that kills bed bugs. In order to prevent stinging your eyes or inhalation of the solution, wear a mask and goggles.
- Think about mowing your lawn. There is no need to rush, and you should cover every square inch of carpet. Make sure the steam lingers on the carpet by moving slowly and gracefully across the room like you were mowing, to effectively get rid of bed bugs in your carpet.
- Make sure the carpet is completely dry before proceeding. You can disperse the carpet moisture by opening windows and using a small fan. In case you are not satisfied with the results, feel free to clean the carpet again or have your carpet and rugs professionally cleaned.
How To Inspect For Bed Bugs
To get rid of bed bugs, start by performing a visual inspection. Examine the room from head to toe. After your previous effort, there shouldn’t be any bed bugs laying about. Make sure you take particular notice of any that are still: alive or dead. Glue traps for bed bugs are another way to monitor your eradication efforts. Put them near each post of the bed, and in the corners of the room.
After that, focus your attention on specific areas of the room. Identify any areas that you thought looked like a good hiding place for bed bugs and surround them with traps: cracks in the walls, gaps between the baseboard and the wall, and anywhere else you found them earlier. Prior to starting on your carpet, you should attempt killing bed bugs from these areas first.
My Bed Bugs Won’t Die
Removing bed bugs and preventing infestation takes persistence and a good cleaning process. Spray tea tree oil on the carpet (wall to wall) to discourage them from crossing. Despite the fact that it will kill the bed bugs on contact, it does not get rid of eggs. Discourage them from spreading by spraying around entry and exit points, and wall voids. Your problem will be solved when they won’t come in contact with the spray.
In most cases, bedbugs prefer living on a bed frame, box springs, or a mattress, not carpets. Normally, bed bugs live under or behind furniture, but if not there, they prefer a dark environment. Using the techniques above can help kill and get rid of bed bugs, however, the key is to make the carpet uninhabitable. Anywhere in the room can be an entry point for bed bugs in your carpet.
When in doubt over your carpet, enlisting the help of professionals can be a godsend.
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Grainne Foley
Grainne Foley is a wife and mother of 2 great kids. During her 5 years of full time RV travel, Grainne learned to become very efficient at household chores, in order to make time for family adventures. Now, back in a house, she has continued to create tools and techniques to help others lighten the load of household organization and cleaning.
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