Carpet Beetle experts needed...

[PrimaDonna]

First time in 11 years that I've been on the phones and a client calls telling me they have carpet beetles and want us to clean.

So, yay or nay?

Do we insist they have an exterminator come out first?

He said he's not looking for the cleaning to be the thing that eradicates them, he knows that won't happen. He's been researching him self and using "natural" methods. He doesn't want harsh things in the house.

Any precautions or thing we should be doing before, during and after?

 

[Nate The Great]

Steri-Fab... We've used it since the 1990's and it's been an awesome product.. Many uses for it and it's alcohol based..

 

[Papa John]

In California we can not legally promise or provide any extermination services without an exterminator license. But there is a good chance some of the criters will get sucked up during the cleaning process.
Just be sure to set his expectations properly

 

[PrimaDonna]

Just be sure to set his expectations properly

That's not the issue. I want to know if we should run or if it is ok to clean? Eveyone says run if it's bed bugs...but what about carpet beetles?

Do we need to do anything special with our equipment afterwards so we aren't taking anything in to the next client. If so, then we may have to require he get's the situation taken care first, then we come clean.

 

[PrimaDonna]

Steri-Fab

Available through Jon Don or Interlink? Or is it more of a specialty thing?

 

[Nate The Great]

Available through Jon Don or Interlink? Or is it more of a specialty thing?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Sterifab

 

[Desk Jockey]

Pemberton's or JonDon

 

[The Great Oz]

The only precaution you might take is to have the tech wear shoe covers and dispose of them after rinsing hoses to make sure you won't transfer either beetles or "natural" pest control solutions.

 

[BradFenstermaker]

Friend of mine swears by SteriFab.
Also there is product called Permethrin SFR that will most likely will them

Anytime a customer or potential mentions any kind of infestation. We don't clean until it's been treated.

Just not something we practice. Too risky with the corrogated vac hose.
For my own house off of me or the next customer.

 

[hogjowl]

Oh good grief. You don’t have any friends.
Idiot

 

[Dolly Llama]

what are carpet beetles ??

I should google so I sound smart..
but thought I recall they're only in natural fiber goods...not synthetics ??

if so, would that change what spray juice one should or shouldn't use??

..L.T.A.

 

[Old Coastie]

Carpet beetles don’t bite the way bedbugs do. They can get into mattresses and clothing, furniture and curtains. You won’t eliminate them by just cleaning the carpet.

I ran into one ol’ boy who used cotton poison to treat the inside of his house. It got rid of the bugs, but left his house a toxic mess. Gave him some kind of respiratory inflammation that has lasted five years.

Have an exterminater clear the house, then go clean the carpets.

 

[Dolly Llama]

looks like they can be allthefookover the place


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varied_carpet_beetle


The larvae of A. verbasci are a common household pest. Adult beetles usually lay their eggs in air ducts, in closets, under furniture, or under baseboards.[9] Once hatched and until they pupate into adults, the larvae hide in dark, undisturbed areas and feed on organic material. The larvae are thus responsible for the damage of various items, such as furniture, clothing, blankets, furs, and carpets. They are commonly found in musical instruments which have been stored for lengthy periods of time, feeding on pads and felts most commonly found in woodwind instruments.

https://www.orkin.com/other/beetles/carpet-beetles/infestation/
Carpet beetles feed on a wide range of animal-based items, including silk, leather, fur, wool and animal hair. As a result, carpet beetles may infest carpets, upholstered furniture, blankets, coats, comforters, wool, pillows and clothing. While carpet beetles rarely attack synthetic fabrics, they may feed on these items when they are soiled by perspiration, oil and food. Infestations can spread quickly.


..L.T.A.

 

[Jimmy L]

Spray a microban formula I believe it's 850x? Spray deet or raid on the bottom half of your clothes before

 

[hogjowl]

Good Lord ... so many experts ... so little sense.

Tell your customer to have a professional pest control company eliminate the pests and THEN you’ll come suck up their poop.

If he’s too cheap to go that route, he’s a potential problem you don’t want to inherit.

 

[MR CLEAN]

Well since this is the first I’ve heard of the situation I’ll comment here. Sounds a lot like Kawasaki syndrome. We will recommend having an exterminator first then we can clean with all our normal precautions and maybe a few more.