Carpet Beetles?

They are probably carpet beetles, they are seasonal, so they will go away, just vacuum a lot. No need for pesticides!
S.

Wait before you bomb the inside of your house, try using some other things. The residue from those chemicals will be in your home for a long time. I have these too and they tend to show up about this time of year near walls and windowsills. Last year my husband got diatomaceous earth and it worked great. This is a white odorless powder that is fossilized diatoms or algae from the ocean. It feels soft to us, but is very sharp and will eliminate these bugs from your areas. We sprinkled in it the closet corners and window sills and runners and you can put it in any spots they are showing up. You should google it to read more about it, but you can buy it at the hardware store. You do need to apply it yearly. I also vacuum a lot when I see those and just get them before they move about your house. I haven't had any problems. I would try that first than live with toxic chemicals in my house. Bombing your home will do more harm to it than a few of these small bugs will. Good luck!

I looked up some stuff but it looks like only pesticides work. They are nasty little creatures.

Maybe you can call Terminix and ask them if they have something that is "safer" for kids.

Now you got me itching all over!!! :-)

Good luck, and if you find anything that is safe for kids and pets, please post a follow up for us.

Thanks,

~B

Oh my goodness! I am suffering from the same exact thing! Luckly I have hard wood floors and area rugs. I have been unsuccessful in my attempts to rid myself of them, and have vacuumed daily. Now I think I have no choice but to toss out the area rugs.

I am so grossed out and every time I find one, I feel itchy all night long, thinking they are all over me while I sleep.

Thank you for posting this message.

I had carpet beetles in my old apartment, not anymore. I would find them often. Just don't look up the larvae that would even more disgust you. They also can come on clothes. If you have any furniture or clothes that you have not gotten brand new, they could have come with that. Wash the clothes also!. They hide under the dustboards. Try vinegar and lemon.

is that what they are?! i've been noticing the same thing for about the last ten days, but on the curtains (hardwood floors), and one on the bed- yuck! the only non pesticide bug trick i know is to mix a little dish soap and tobacco with water in a spray bottle, but i've only ever used it outside on my roses. please let me know if you find out about something that works inside!

I had a close friend deal with this problem and she was told there was no other way to fix this other than exterminating. Reason being because the pest can last up to a year with out eating. They lay thousands of eggs as well which also live for quite some time. You may be able to fix the problem yourself but as soon as u think it's over the new eggs start hatching and the cycle begins. I'd suggest calling an exterminator. I know u may not be comfortable with that idea but if you don't do it soon the pest just start multiplying and the problem gets worse. Good luck with what u decide to do!

We had new carpet installed fairly recently and discovered these funny brown beetles that had a small pin head and a brown stripe. The exterminator took it to the Dept of Ag who identified it as "Alfalfa Weavel". Another simply called it a carpet beetle. Whatever the name, we finally had the exterminator do the job because these things could actually fly onto the bedding..... GROSS. I even found one crawling on my daughter's arm.

I too struggled with whether or not to use pesticides but I agree with the woman who said a little exposure won't turn your baby into a mutant (no second head has grown on my daughter as of yet but I will keep you updated if one does sprout up),

My advise- get it sprayed. You will have more peace of mind, the babies won't decide they are tasty as put them in their mouths and make sure to ask for the information sheet on the pesticides they use so you can Google what the stuff is before signing on the dotted line.

We use Sheldon at Orkin and he has been great when it comes to answering all my questions.

D..

A friend recently told me about this problem in one room of her home. They tried to bug bomb them, but some of the bugs still lived. She called an exterminator who said the only way to get them completely dead is to have the room sprayed professionally. Problem is now gone. Be sure you vacuum a lot (throw the bag outside the house afterwards), as I hear the bugs feast on skin that is shed from pets and people in the house. Check to see if you have wool clothing or wool rugs in your house that are infested. The bugs will eat holes in wool, particularly if it is not perfectly clean.

I am amazed at all the people that went with exterminating! My exterminator was just here (we use 007 Pest Control) and he said - get rid of the source and you get rid of the problem. The source? Dust and dead skin. So, clean away ladies!! Clean up any spots that you dont normally do, like under beds, behind dressers, any places your pets (like dogs or cats) may like to lay around.

They live on dead hair and skin. I had to deal with this before I moved in with my boyfriend 6 years ago. They ate throught $1K of his suits and good clothing. I cleaned out every inch of his house before I moved in. GROSS!! bachelorhood house. OMG!!! I took qtips to all the tracks of the closet doors. 2 months later I finally moved in. I also found an indoor pest spray at home depot that I sprayed the closets and baseboards with and that did the trick. 5 years later we are married and the carpet beetles have never returned since. Good luck! It was a huge project getting rid of them.

SAHM, 40yrs old with 2 wonderful funny little boys. 3 yrs and 9 months already walking.

Well E.,
I don't have any experience with carpet beetles, but I do know the bug people can come out and spray and bomb the inside of your house. They will probably have you stay out of the house for 4 hours or so and after that it is safe. I would recommend you vaccuum afterwards. I know everybody wants to be so careful with their children and pesticides and harsh chemicals, but sometimes there's no way around it. A little exposure here and there will not be enough to turn them into mutants or anything. I would do what you have to do to get rid of them. The diseases bugs can carry and the waste they leave behind can be much more harmful to your kids that a little bit of pesticide. Good luck! I feel for you, girl!

E.,

I did a little Internet surfing and found this website: http://www.pestproducts.com/cedarcide.htm

It's 100% natural from cedar and juniper oils. Not sure how well it works.

Good luck!