Delta Dust is labeled to treat both bedbugs and carpet beetles. However, it would not be applied in areas where walking on it would be an issue. It is labeled for application in cracks and crevices only. For bed bug control, Delta Dust will not eradicate an infestation and is meant to be used along with other products. It would be a good idea to take a look at our Bed Bug Control Guide for more information on how to do a complete treatment for bed bugs.
Many products that will treat bed bugs will also treat for carpet beetles, but with different application instructions. Please see the below for tips on treating for carpet beetles, and always follow the product label instructions.
How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetle infestations can be very difficult to control. The best weapon for getting rid of them is to combine cleaning and insecticides.
• Vacuuming: Carpet beetle larvae like to feed in dark, undisturbed locations like closets, attics, basements, and storage areas. The wide availability of food sources for the larvae (including dust and lint, and pet hair) makes vacuuming the best way to ensure there is minimal food for the larvae to feed on. Vacuuming can also help to remove the larvae and adult beetles already in the home. Regular vacuuming and laundering of rugs, furniture, and linens can help to ensure the beetles are removed and have no food source. If you find a contaminated item, bag and remove this item from your home, if possible.
• Proper storage: Before storing silks, woolens, or furs, dry clean as the beetles are attracted to stains and soiled garments. Store in a well-sealed container, using mothballs. Mothballs can limit the beetle’s attraction to the wool or silk. Store pet food, dried meat, and other dried animal products in a well-sealed container.
• Insecticides: For things that cannot be washed or dry cleaned, insecticides are the best bet for prevention and eradication. Temprid SC is an excellent products to use.
Insecticides can be used for spot-treatments, as a boundary at the edges of rugs, under rugs, under furniture, walls and floors of closets, shelving, cracks, and lint or dust accumulating areas. Be careful around oriental rugs or other fabrics, as some insecticides can stain. Never spray clothing or bedding with insecticide, and always read instructions.
• Outdoor maintenance: Adult carpet beetles are most commonly found outside. They feed on pollen and nectar, but lay eggs in bird, rodent, bee, or wasp nests or old spider webs to give the larvae an abundant food source. Clearing these away from your home, along with checking near highly pollinating plants near your house and checking cut flowers for the beetles before bringing them inside.
Yes, Delta Dust Insecticide is perfect for underneath and behind appliances like TVs, refrigerators, microwaves etc, as well as in wall voids and cracks and crevices. Of course, you would not want to dust in the open if you have food sitting out on the countertops exposed.
Delta Dust Insecticide is labeled for fruit flies, phorid flies, and sciarid flies.
If left undisturbed Delta Dust Insecticide will remain effective for up to eight months in wall voids.
Yes you could use Delta Dust Insecticide inside a car, but you would want to apply it in areas that you do not come into direct contact with, such as underneath mats, in between seats, etc. It can also be applied on furniture under the cushions, at furniture joints, and behind fabric tacking. We recommend using a hand duster such as the B&G Bulb Duster 1150 when applying insecticide dusts. Be sure that you do not apply dust directly on skin contact areas. Excess dust can be wiped up with a damp paper towel.
For cicada killer wasps, it is commonly recommended to use Delta Dust in each individual burrow. Cicada Killer wasps thrive in disturbed environments, such as landscaped yards and places where bare soil is exposed. You can discourage the wasps from nesting in your yard by cutting your grass on the highest setting and by adding a thick layer of mulch to flower beds during the Cicada Killer Wasp season. These wasps do not like over saturated lawns either, so over watering during their season will help prevent them. Unfortunately, there is no fool proof way to prevent cicada killer wasps.
We also like to let our customers know that the Cicada Killer wasps are beneficial insects that provide free pest control for a couple months each year. Cicada killer wasps paralyze and provision their burrows with other insects to feed their young. The beneficial Cicada killer wasps, while large and intimidating to see, are mostly harmless and there have been very few reports of anyone getting stung by just being near them. In most cases where a sting was reported, the wasps were being held or molested in some way. Cicada Killer Wasp stings are also reported to be almost painless.
The manufacturer recommends wearing safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves along with long sleeves and long pants when applying Delta Dust.
Delta Dust can be harmful if it is ingested by animals or absorbed through the skin. Delta Dust can stay active for several months after application. We will say that most animals will not eat Delta Dust because there is nothing to attract them to the dust and it would be extremely drying to the inside of their mouths if they did try to eat it. Still, it is best to contact your veterinarian if you think your pet ingested or absorbed Delta Dust. We have linked the product label and the MSDS in our answer so that you may print them out to give your veterinarian.
You can use Delta Dust Insecticide for wasps such as Cicada Killers. Keep in mind that this is a residual dust that may take many hours to kill the insects after they contact it. Since these are solitary wasps, you need to treat each hole you see individually for best results. You do not need to apply every day. Keep in mind, too, that these insects prefer sandy soil that is dry, so for longterm control, you may consider adding mulch or topsoil and keeping the area moist while these insects are active in the summer.
If you need something for quick knockdown of flying, stinging insects, then you can use Wasp Freeze for almost immediate knockdown.
Yes, Delta Dust is labeled for roaches. You will want to apply the product in the areas where roaches typically crawl and hide.
Delta Dust Insecticide has a 5 year shelf life but is best stored in a cool dry place, below 90 degrees and above freezing. The efficacy may be reduced if repeatedly exposed to higher temps.
