Carpet Beetles!

[Spiderlass]

Hi Everyone,

My house is currently suffering from carpet beetle infestation - I highly suspect they have came from Locust/cricket feeding tubs I bought from local pet store.
My Ts are currently in my living room) inside a cabinet and I would never spray any pesticides or insecticides incase of harming them - my local hardware store has given me carpet killer "strips" which contain Transfluthrin which go on the floor and will kill the bugs but are safe around pets (obv they mean cats and dogs) and children. Before I put any of these down.... Does anyone have any information or advise!? Are these potentially harmful to my Ts? These honestly just look like blue paper strips.....

 

[Matt Man]

I think the beetles have to come in contact with the strips to die so if your Ts don't get near the strips, nor are you feeding them carpet beetles you should be okay

 

[Spiderlass]

I think the beetles have to come in contact with the strips to die so if your Ts don't get near the strips, nor are you feeding them carpet beetles you should be okay

AHHH. Understood. I wondered how they would work.
They won't be in contact with the strips or the bugs - I only feed my Ts bought feeders. I never wanted to risk wild insects/bugs giving my Ts parasites.

 

[Ponerinecat]

I doubt they'll be much harm, more of a just a nuisance. They eat all sorts of dead matter like dried grains or dried insects. They wont eat something still alive, and don't do much else other than break down dead stuff.

 

[Matt Man]

if it isn't harmful to pets it may be using Bt or a Bt Cry Protein, which is a bacteria that effects alkaline digestive systems. Since mammalian systems are acidic this form is 'pet safe'

 

[Reezelbeezelbug]

Wash your hands real good before feeding/maintaining the Ts just in case something from the strips gets on your hands. Good luck!

 

[Tigger]

Or... hear me out... free roam tarantulas.

 

[Jesse607]

The best tool is one you likely already have. A vacuum cleaner. Weekly thorough vacuuming of floors and furniture will do the trick. Get around the edges well, and behind furniture. Carpet beetles don't actually eat carpet or furniture unless they are made from animal by-products. They eat shed hair, dander, dead insects, and food crumbs that accumulate around edges and in cracks.