How do You Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Your Carpet?
When you have bed bugs in your carpet, we recommend calling your trusted local bed bug exterminator as soon as possible. If you’re in Wisconsin, you can call us. Our technicians will be able to assess the extent of the infestation and provide a lasting solution.
If you do not plan on calling a bed bug specialist, be aware that it can take a long time to control bed bugs with DIY methods. You can do it, but it takes some perseverance.
This is what we suggest for DIY bed bug removal from carpet:
- Use a vacuum with a sealable bag.
- Lay out diatomaceous earth where you will vacuum.
- Vacuum the area two or three times over.
- Repeat the above steps as necessary.
- Remove the vacuum bag outside and seal it.
- Clean the carpet by steam clean or shampoo for extra power.
Cleaning Bed Bug-Infested Carpets and Vacuuming Up Bed Bugs
Although bed bugs are more commonly known for living in mattresses and similar furniture, they often infest our carpets. Instead of burrowing inside, they will remain close to the surface, which makes it easier to vacuum them up.
Vacuuming them up can work, but there are a few important things to note. You need to make sure you have the right kind of vacuum. It needs to have a sealable, disposable bag. If you use a canister vacuum, the bed bugs may continue living inside the vacuum. You also need to make sure to clean the vacuum afterward.
What Do I Do with My Vacuum After I’ve Used It to Clean Bed Bug-Infested Carpet?
- Take it Outside: Immediately take the vacuum cleaner outside to handle it. Do not empty it indoors.
- Seal and Dispose: Remove the vacuum bag, seal it in a plastic trash bag, and immediately throw it away in an outdoor trash can.
- Clean the Components: Wash the dust canister and any washable filters with hot, soapy water.
- Wipe Everything Down: Inspect and wipe down the entire vacuum, including the hose, attachments, and especially the beater bar/brush, to remove any lingering bugs or eggs.
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Are These Bed Bugs or Carpet Beetles?
Bed bugs are often mistaken for carpet beetles, and vice versa.
So, how can you tell if the bugs in your carpet are bed bugs or carpet beetles? You can best tell these bugs apart by their appearance in their larval stages. As larvae, carpet beetles look like little fuzzy caterpillars, while bed bugs look longer and more worm-like.
As adults, carpet beetles and bed bugs look similar and are so small that they can be difficult to tell apart. Compare the two images below:
Close-up of adult carpet beetle.
Close-up of adult bed bug.
Do You Need Professional Carpet Cleaning After Bed Bugs?
If you’ve hired a professional bed bug exterminator to treat your home, you can trust that the infestation has been dealt with. Regardless, it can give you peace of mind to have a professional carpet cleaning company take care of your rugs and carpets after an infestation. High heat and steam work well to kill off any lingering bed bugs.