The larvae of carpet beetles are omnivorous and can cause significant damage not only to household and food supplies, but even to clothing and furniture when such pests infest houses and apartments. More than 600 species of these beetles are found in nature. Not all of them can peacefully coexist with humans, but several species are quite capable of domestication, having found a rich food supply in rooms that are warm enough all year round.
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Appearance of an insect
The natural environment is home to 600 species of representatives of the order Coleoptera. Of these, 7 varieties are dangerous pests.
General signs of skin beetles:
- size – up to 1.2 centimeters;
- the body cover is covered with hairs or stripes;
- color in shades of brown;
- Hairy larvae are brown.
Carpet beetles eat animal and plant organic matter.
In the human environment, insects are attracted to natural fabrics, wood and wood products, and food scraps. Depending on the nutrient substrate, the skin beetle can be found in the apartment:
- Carpet, brown bug, up to 4 millimeters. Habitats: woolen, knitted, cotton products. It feeds on fibers, wool, and skin residues.
- Ham, black, with gray-yellow wings. Substrate - food.
- Fur coat, with white dots. Eats food.
- Museum black. Lives in books. Destroys paper, cardboard, glue.
- Kozheeda Smirnova. Eats wood. Habitats: frames, window sills, stairs.
- Frisch's carpet beetle. Nutrient substrate - products.
- Floral. It feeds on pollen from indoor plants.
Despite their tiny size, carpet beetles cause significant material damage and threaten human health.
Interesting information
Getting rid of carpet beetles is not so easy, since their life activity includes some features. For example:
- Adults are active during the daytime, and in the evening they fly towards the light, so it is not difficult to fight them; it is enough to make primitive traps. As for caterpillars, this method is not suitable for destroying them.
- The larvae are afraid of sunlight, so they prefer to hide in dark, hard-to-reach places, which makes them difficult to find.
- These pests do not tolerate wet conditions, so regular wet cleaning helps to expel the carpet beetle from the apartment.
- Kozheed beetle larvae are more resistant to the action of special control agents compared to moths. Therefore, when destroying moths in an apartment, it is unlikely that you will be able to get rid of the skin beetle larvae.
- Caterpillars never rest and constantly move in search of food sources.
Skin beetle. Furry bugs in the apartment.
What is the danger
The physiological cycle of skin beetles is 1 year. During this period, the female insect makes 4-5 clutches of eggs. After 4 days, voracious larvae of the skin beetle appear. Over the course of 2 months, they molt 6-7 times, causing the greatest harm during this time: gnawing passages in the skin and wood up to 10 centimeters long. For humans, skin beetle bites are painful and can cause an allergic reaction. The bugs do not feed on blood; they are attracted to the smell of skin. Infectious diseases can be transmitted through insect saliva.
Pest control is difficult due to their high survivability: in the absence of food, skin beetles can exist for up to 4 years, retaining the ability to reproduce. Eggs can be stored for a long time under unfavorable conditions. Having discovered skin beetles once, they regularly check the premises and things for infection for several years, not forgetting about prevention.
Liquid GET Total
GET Total is a pesticide that effectively kills skin beetles. The active ingredient of the drug is chlorpyrifos - a strong insecticide that affects the nervous system of the insect. The drug is diluted in water in a ratio of approximately 1:10, and then sprayed in a dense layer on the surface of objects and on the floor. It can be used both indoors and on the porch, veranda, steps of a private house and beyond. After spraying the product, the water dries naturally and microcapsules remain, which will fight pests. These capsules are resistant to humidity, temperature changes and sunlight, so GET Total can be used in almost any conditions. In this case, no visible marks remain on the surfaces. The drug is sold in 100 ml bottles. and costs about 1000 rubles. As a rule, the consumption rate is 100 ml. for an absorbent surface and half as much for a non-absorbent one. An important advantage of GET Total is that it is harmless to people and pets. It has the fourth, lowest hazard class. Important! It acquires this class only after drying, so work with gloves and while spraying, remove small children, animals and anyone to whom you cannot clearly explain the dangers of the insecticide from the room. The drug has a very slight odor and the aroma quickly disappears. If you are not allergic to any scents, GET Total will not be a cause for concern.
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Methods of disposal
You need to pay attention to the appearance of small dark brown or black bugs in the upholstery of upholstered furniture, flower pots, on window sills, under baseboards. Insects that seem harmless at first glance multiply quickly. You need to start removing skin beetles immediately by identifying their habitats.
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When examining, you must remember:
- Carpet beetles cannot tolerate light: first of all, inspect secluded, dark places.
- Insects do not know rest, they are always in motion, covering the maximum area.
They destroy insects at once, using several methods. The more methods are used, the more likely it is to get rid of skin beetles.
Mechanical
The initial stage is general tidying with a vacuum cleaner. Before this, things and furniture are carefully inspected. Items damaged by insects are either thrown away or disinfected. Dust and floors are wiped using disinfectants. Housekeeping is provided daily. Pile coverings are vacuumed 2-3 times a day for a week. Dust bags and water filters are released immediately.
Freezing
Carpet beetles die at a temperature of -10 degrees. In winter, carpets, some furniture, bedding, clothes, and books are taken out into the cold. A freezer with a mode of -18 degrees is suitable for freezing household items. After 2 hours of exposure, the frozen items are washed. The most effective, but difficult to implement method is to freeze the apartment/house for 4 hours at a temperature of -20 degrees.
Chemical
To kill insects, chemicals are used: disinfectants, fumigators, anti-moth agents and permethrin.
Powders
Disinfectants inhibit cell division in insects, which leads to their death. Toxic substances enter the body of the bugs upon contact with the outer shell and when swallowing food. The drugs are used in dry form or in the form of solutions. The powder is scattered in habitats, the solution is sprayed through a spray bottle.
Liquid emulsions
Dispersed compositions have a high concentration of toxic substances and are used when skin beetles colonize large areas. Unsafe for humans and animals. Requires compliance with safety rules during processing. The insecticidal effect lasts for 6-8 months.
Poison in tablets
Poisonous tablets are produced to refill fumigators. After being plugged in, the device heats the tablet, which begins to evaporate. Vapors penetrate into nearby cracks and cause the death of beetles and larvae. The tablet form of the insecticide is used to kill pests in closets. Toxic fumes disinfect things. After 7-10 days, the clothes are taken out into fresh air to remove the unpleasant odor.
Aerosols
The dispersed form is convenient in that the poisonous agent gets into hard-to-reach places where egg beetles may be laid. The disadvantage is that the action is short-lived, it is not effective against eggs, and requires repeated treatment at a high cost.
Permethrin solution
Universal contact insecticide of the second generation of pyrethroids. When ingested by insects, it causes paralysis of the nervous system, which leads to their death. Available in the form of an organic solution or aerosol. It is one of the most effective remedies against all types of parasitic insects. Strong poison for bees and fish. Low toxicity for warm-blooded animals.
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Effective means
Manufacturers offer a wide selection of insecticides for pest control. Application practice shows a list of the most effective means.
Difox
Concentrated liquid product. Diluted with water in a ratio of 2 milliliters per 1 liter of water. It will not be possible to completely remove skin beetles if their colony has spread throughout the entire apartment using only Difox. Additional insecticides will be needed.
Wardrobe items are cleaned of skin beetles by placing them in a sealed plastic bag for a day at a temperature not lower than +14.
Dezmol
The aerosol has a pungent odor. The action time of the insecticide is 2 hours. Used to remove skin beetle larvae in combination with other products.
Morimol
The drug is produced in the form of plates and solution. The plate, placed in a cabinet, remains toxic to moths and skin beetles for 6 months. The liquid product is used to treat carpets and upholstery of upholstered furniture.
Supronit
Liquid for treating walls and the inside surfaces of cabinets against skin beetles.
Mittox
A universal remedy for combating keratophages (moths, skin beetles, carpet beetles). Produced in the form of a concentrated emulsion. The active ingredient is deltamethrin. A 0.005% solution is prepared for processing. The insecticide is sprayed using a spray bottle at a rate of 10 milliliters per 1 square meter. The effectiveness of the poison is 6 months. Requires caution when handling.
Molemore
Aerosol. The insecticidal effect against the skin beetle remains for six months.
Boric acid
Inexpensive powder causes the death of skin beetles due to disruption of the digestive system. The effect of the chemical is to absorb moisture from the fabrics. Paralysis and death of the insect occurs. The cracks between the baseboards are filled with powder.
For surface treatment, an aqueous suspension is prepared. Small items (for example, books) can be placed in a backpack, a synthetic bag with a good lock, after pouring boric acid into it first.
Calling specialists
If there is no positive result after self-treatment, SES workers are called. Employees of the sanitary and epidemiological institution will conduct an inspection of the premises and identify the places where skin beetles are most localized.
Processing is carried out professionally, using special equipment. Hot, cold fumigation and wet disinfection are used. It is impossible to do such work on your own.
Traditional methods
A combination of insecticides and folk remedies will improve the result and speed up the disinfection process. The use of folk remedies brings short-term results.
Steam
The use of steam is effective when treating accessible surfaces that cannot be damaged by scalding temperatures.
For example:
- upholstery of upholstered furniture;
- wooden stairs;
- carpets;
- blankets;
- bed linen;
- curtains made from natural materials;
- fur coats;
- linen, cotton items.
The method requires combination with insecticides, since the steam cools quickly, without having the proper effect on skin beetles, larvae and eggs.
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Permethrin pyrethroid
Dried Dalmatian chamomile, tansy, and chrysanthemums contain the natural pyrethroid permethrin. Herbs are used as a repellent to repel skin beetles. The chopped grass is poured behind the baseboards. In the form of sachets, they are placed on shelves with linen, in compartments with outerwear. Spraying a water infusion from a spray bottle has a detrimental effect if it comes into direct contact with skin beetles. In the light, the pyrethroid quickly oxidizes and loses its insecticidal properties.
Prices for pest control for individuals
Conventional drugsPrice1 room apartment One-time price Cold fog (ULV irrigation) from 1800 rubles Cold fog and barrier protection from 2700 rubles Hot fog (GAP treatment) from 4500 rubles Comprehensive treatment with hot and cold fog, barrier protection as a gift from 5900 rubles Comprehensive treatment with hot and cold fog, barrier protection as a gift + PPE (personal protection system) from RUB 7,400 2-room apartment Single price Cold fog (ULV irrigation) from RUB 2,100 Cold fog and barrier protection from RUB 3,100 Hot fog (GAP treatment) from RUB 4,700 Complex treatment hot and cold fog, barrier protection as a gift from 6,400 rubles. Complex treatment with hot and cold fog, barrier protection as a gift + PPE (personal protection system) from 7,900 rubles. 3-room apartment One-time price Cold fog (ULV irrigation) from 2,300 rubles. Cold fog and barrier protection from RUB 3,300. Hot fog (GAP treatment) from RUB 4,900. Comprehensive hot and cold fog treatment, free barrier protection from RUB 6,800. Comprehensive hot and cold fog treatment, free barrier protection + PPE (personal protection system) from RUB 8,300. .Premium drugsPrice1 room apartment One-time price Cold fog (ULV irrigation) from 3800 rubles Cold fog and barrier protection from 4700 rubles Hot fog (GAP treatment) from 6500 rubles Comprehensive treatment with hot and cold fog, barrier protection as a gift from 7900 rubles Comprehensive treatment with hot and cold fog, barrier protection as a gift + PPE (personal protection system) from RUB 9,400 2-room apartment Single price Cold fog (ULV irrigation) from RUB 4,100 Cold fog and barrier protection from RUB 5,100 Hot fog (GAP treatment) from RUB 6,700 Complex treatment hot and cold fog, barrier protection as a gift from 8,400 rubles. Complex treatment with hot and cold fog, barrier protection as a gift + PPE (personal protection system) from 9,900 rubles. 3-room apartment One-time price Cold fog (ULV irrigation) from 4,300 rubles. Cold fog and barrier protection from RUB 5,300. Hot fog (GAP treatment) from RUB 6,900. Comprehensive hot and cold fog treatment, free barrier protection from RUB 8,800. Comprehensive hot and cold fog treatment, free barrier protection + PPE (personal protection system) from RUB 10,300. .Carpet beetles like to build their nests in warm and dry places. A favorite place is a closet with clothes, the space near radiators, upholstered furniture. The female lays eggs in hard-to-reach places, where people rarely clean. It’s worth figuring out how to get rid of skin beetles.
How to get rid of skin beetle
Processing rules
The most suitable processing times are May, October-November. During these periods, the skin beetle larvae do not have dense cover after molting, which makes them vulnerable. Before starting disinfection, it is necessary to close windows, doors, and ventilation ducts. Remove children and animals. Despite the low toxicity, treatment should be carried out in thick clothing with sleeves, rubber gloves and safety glasses.
Aerosols and emulsion solutions are sprayed at arm's length, at a distance of 20-25 centimeters from the surface. The walls are processed from top to bottom from a height of 1.5 meters.
Sequence of insecticide application:
- walls up to the baseboard;
- behind the baseboards;
- window;
- doors;
- lampshades;
- cushioned furniture;
- pile surfaces;
- in closets;
- ladder.
At the end of the procedure, ventilate the room.
Spray Clean Home Super
The drug has a very convenient release form - a spray. The manufacturer claims that one such bottle is enough to disinfect 2800 square meters. m. At the same time, the protective layer that forms when applying the Clean House Super product lasts about three months and, while destroying existing skin beetles, does not allow new ones to enter. The active ingredient of the drug is beta-cyfluthrin. It effectively copes with more than a hundred types of pests, including skin beetles. At the same time, both the substance itself and the spray are odorless, do not leave visible traces and, in general, only disturb dying pests. Aerosol Clean House Super belongs to the fourth hazard class, that is, it poses virtually no harm to people, animals, fish, etc. But care should be taken when applying. As with any pesticide, you need to work with it wearing gloves, a protective mask, goggles, and you should also put on a work coat first so that your clothes are not saturated with spray splashes. Keep the bottle as far away from your face as possible. Important: If you have ever noticed an allergic reaction to beta-cyfluthrin or any substance from the pyrethroid class, you should stop using this spray. In any other case, you can use it to combat skin beetles. A clean Super house is inexpensive. One can of aerosol will cost you about 300 rubles.
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Treatment of carpet beetle bites
Despite its very small size, the carpet beetle bites quite painfully. Young children and women react especially violently to its bites. In addition, they can infect humans with serious infectious and viral diseases. Therefore, it is very important to immediately treat the bite site with a disinfectant such as hydrogen peroxide. If this does not help and the bite site begins to become inflamed, it is better to consult a doctor immediately.
To prevent an allergic reaction, you need to take an antihistamine, such as Diazolin. The wound site can be treated with moisturizing creams, which speeds up the healing process. If everything is done on time and correctly, then there should be no problems after a carpet beetle bite.
Causes and ways of appearance of skin beetles in an apartment (house)
The main reason for the appearance of parasites is access to food sources. Human housing is often rich in things and objects that attract insects (fur or leather items, old books, food supplies).
Also, the territory in which people live has ideal conditions for pests to live - a dry, warm climate.
- Carpet beetles can enter a human home in different ways:
- together with purchased furniture or things located in the “infected” premises;
- together with “contaminated” products - cereals, flour, cheese, meat;
- through open windows, vents, doors;
- along with bouquets of wild flowers.
