# Carpet beetles in my grow closet **URL:** \ **Category:** Grow Support\ **Created:** [March 21, 2023, 8:50pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105 "2023-03-21T20:50:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Reb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/51bf81/32.png) [@Reb](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Reb)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 8:50pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/1 "2023-03-21T20:50:16Z")
Hi all, I just found some carpet beetles in my grow closet. I’m gonna pull everything out and clean it thoroughly, but I have a question. Should I use some neem oil mixture or dish soap mixture and spray my plant? I’m gonna hit the store and get some stuff to spray the rest of my house. > [@Reb's second grow with GSCE Auto](https://ilgmforum.com/t/rebs-second-grow-with-gsce-auto/95837/51): > > Alright folks…I found some carpet beetles in my closet. I’m not sure how in the world they got into my house. I’m gonna pull everything out of the closet and clean it really well. Do I need to spray my plant with neem oil mixture or dish soap mixture? ---
**Author:** ![Bluntsmoke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/bluntsmoke/32/1186531_2.png) [@Bluntsmoke](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Bluntsmoke)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 9:08pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/2 "2023-03-21T21:08:42Z")
That’s what those are huh? I found one in my tent I think it’s eating leaves??? ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/original/4X/7/c/6/7c68d51fbf5b4e7116c36d0eab89360861df2f63.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![OldSkunk](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/oldskunk/32/247427_2.png) [@OldSkunk](https://ilgmforum.com/u/OldSkunk)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 9:52pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/3 "2023-03-21T21:52:59Z")
Jacks dead bug kills them and it’s a safe thing to use on the plant if it’s not flowering. Pyrethrins are what the pest people recommend but Jacks is safer to use @Reb ---
**Author:** ![Jnagoh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/jnagoh/32/829719_2.png) [@Jnagoh](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Jnagoh)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/4 "2023-03-21T21:55:15Z")
Maybe some food grade diatomaceous earth made into a spray if your not in flower. I’ve heard it works pretty good like that if used lightly. ---
**Author:** ![Bluntsmoke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/bluntsmoke/32/1186531_2.png) [@Bluntsmoke](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Bluntsmoke)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 9:59pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/5 "2023-03-21T21:59:03Z")
What damage do they do? ---
**Author:** ![Reb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/51bf81/32.png) [@Reb](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Reb)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 9:59pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/6 "2023-03-21T21:59:19Z")
I’m way into flower and getting close to harvest. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Reb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/51bf81/32.png) [@Reb](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Reb)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 10:00pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/7 "2023-03-21T22:00:14Z")
The females lay about 50 eggs at a time. They will eat away at natural fabric and fibers. ---
**Author:** ![Bluntsmoke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/bluntsmoke/32/1186531_2.png) [@Bluntsmoke](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Bluntsmoke)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 10:07pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/8 "2023-03-21T22:07:57Z")
Nothing to the plant just fabric? They can stay then. It’s only on my alien rock candy plant and no other ---
**Author:** ![OldSkunk](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/oldskunk/32/247427_2.png) [@OldSkunk](https://ilgmforum.com/u/OldSkunk)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 10:16pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/9 "2023-03-21T22:16:13Z")
They will eat plants @Reb. They are after nectar and pollen. Several of the other grow forums talk about this, but I couldn’t find anything on them here. They’re not good news but they’re better than thrips and mites. ---
**Author:** ![Reb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/51bf81/32.png) [@Reb](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Reb)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 10:25pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/10 "2023-03-21T22:25:28Z")
So probably just do a wash when I chop in the next day or two and I should be alright? ---
**Author:** ![GreggT](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/greggt/32/739897_2.png) [@GreggT](https://ilgmforum.com/u/GreggT)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2023, 10:27pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/11 "2023-03-21T22:27:29Z")
Should be fine as wine!! ---
**Author:** ![Low](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/low/32/1169155_2.png) [@Low](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Low)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 3:18pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/12 "2023-03-22T15:18:18Z")
These critters suck. They like curtains, carpet, furniture, and clothes. DE inside of furniture, DE on carpet and vacuum, and wash any drapes or fabric you can. I haven’t had them in my grow but I have had them in my house. I think I’ve gotten bites from them too. ---
**Author:** ![Reb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/51bf81/32.png) [@Reb](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Reb)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 3:45pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/13 "2023-03-22T15:45:41Z")
I spent about 4 hours after work pulling everything out of closets, vacuuming, spraying peppermint oil, re-vacuuming, wiping down window sills with vinegar/white solution… Pretty exhausting. I checked my grow closet an hour ago, and I didn’t see any in there. I’m hoping I was on top of things. One thing that my wife mentioned was we did get a new couch a couple weeks ago - I’m thinking that may be how we ended up with them. I’m gonna do another round of cleaning after work today (yay) and if that doesn’t work, then I’ll either set out some bombs or call a pro to come out. If we bomb the place, then I can just my plant in the garage (need to check the trichomes later today). If we have to call someone, I guess it’ll go in the shed for a couple hours. ---
**Author:** ![Low](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/low/32/1169155_2.png) [@Low](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Low)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 3:47pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/14 "2023-03-22T15:47:53Z")
I’ve had a bunch of success with DE and it’s safe for people/pets. Messy, but very effective. Those bugs are outdoors everywhere here, all it takes is for one to get carried inside with you. Good Luck with the War! ---
**Author:** ![Reb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/51bf81/32.png) [@Reb](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Reb)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 3:55pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/15 "2023-03-22T15:55:45Z")
> [@Low](#): > > I’ve had a bunch of success with DE and it’s safe for people/pets. I’ll check and see if I can find any in town. Do you just sprinkle around openings, or just pretty much everywhere? ---
**Author:** ![Low](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/low/32/1169155_2.png) [@Low](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Low)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 4:01pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/16 "2023-03-22T16:01:00Z")
I sprinkle it on everything and vacuum. On the carpet I’ll let it sit for a couple hours and follow up with a vacuum and sometimes will then shampoo. They have to come in contact with the powder. It’s like razor blades for critters. I also like to cover the floors of grow areas with it as a preventative measure. Some of the smaller bottles you can squeeze and it will “dust” the area. But the small bottles usually cost more for what you are getting. Kills most bugs! This is the one I use I believe but I found mine locally > **[Amazon.com: HARRIS Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade, 4lb with Powder Duster...](https://www.amazon.com/Harris-Diatomaceous-Earth-Powder-Duster/dp/B072J8Z28F?tag=ilovegrowingm-20)** > > Buy HARRIS Diatomaceous Earth Food Grade, 4lb with Powder Duster Included in The Bag: Health Supplies - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases I just sprinkle this everywhere when I need it. But a duster will get you a better spread and even coverage, while using less. Here’s an example of a duster > **[Harris Diatomaceous Earth Powder Duster with 6 Inch Extension Nozzle](https://www.amazon.com/Harris-Diatomaceous-Powder-Duster-Extension/dp/B01LRMN9ZM?tag=ilovegrowingm-20)** > > Buy Harris Diatomaceous Earth Powder Duster with 6 Inch Extension Nozzle at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision! ---
**Author:** ![JaneQP](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/janeqp/32/555131_2.png) [@JaneQP](https://ilgmforum.com/u/JaneQP)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 4:10pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/17 "2023-03-22T16:10:51Z")
I have had good luck with organishield. ---
**Author:** ![Reb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/51bf81/32.png) [@Reb](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Reb)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 4:19pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/18 "2023-03-22T16:19:44Z")
Thanks so much! ---
**Author:** ![Reb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/51bf81/32.png) [@Reb](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Reb)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/19 "2023-03-22T16:33:20Z")
Tractor Supply right near me has this: > **[Diatomaceous Earth Food-Grade Supplement Powder for Humans and Pets, 25 lb....](https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/diatomaceous-earth-food-grade-diatomaceous-earth-25-lb?cm_vc=-10011)** > > Buy Diatomaceous Earth Food-Grade Supplement Powder for Humans and Pets, 25 lb. at Tractor Supply Co. Great Customer Service. That’s the same stuff, right? (even though it’s a very large bag) ---
**Author:** ![Low](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/low/32/1169155_2.png) [@Low](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Low)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2023, 4:35pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105/20 "2023-03-22T16:35:07Z")
Yes, and it should last you forever. That’s actually what I would get, didn’t know they carried it! We have one nearby also. If you do any outdoor gardening it’s good on dry days out there too. [Next page](https://ilgmforum.com/t/carpet-beetles-in-my-grow-closet/99105.md?page=2)