Spots Appearing on Carpets?

I am seeing some small brown stains on my carpet. Initially I started seeing them on the basement carpet. I don't have a finished basement. I just carpeted the basement floor so that kids can play on it. I do not think they are mold stains as the house is only 4 years old and never had a leak anywhere in the house or a damp floor. Also, I cut some carpet in the basement and did not see any evidence of mold on the floor underneath the carpet or on the back side of the carpet.

Now I am seeing similar spots on the carpet on my first and second floor. Most of the stains are actually in the 2nd floor near bathroom entrances and in the walk-in closet areas. I have the Berber carpet and the stains are the size of small finger nail. They just look like someone dropped some oil drops here and there. I have around 6 or seven spots in each area.

We don't know how they got there. They are a mystery for us. I bought a few carpet cleaning sprays from Wal-Mart and tried it on my basement floor and it did not work. Earlier we had a rodent (small mice) problem in our house which we took care of. So, I thought maybe a small mouse is running around the house and is excreting urine/poop and was causing this.

I set up mice traps with no luck. Also, typically mice poop is visible and since that was not the case we ruled it out too. If not mice could it be some kind of fly? Can someone help me to understand what these spots could be and how to get rid of them? Your help will be much appreciated.

Bob from Chicago, IL

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Dena Roberts
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 102 Feedbacks

February 18, 20090 found this helpful

Is all the carpet from the same roll? Could be a problem with the carpet itself? Check and see if there is a warranty.

By (Guest Post)

February 19, 20090 found this helpful

No, it is from many different roles and types. Thanks.

sumathi.rajendran11

June 15, 20180 found this helpful

Do wee know what caused this. we are experiencing similar issue now

Louise B.
Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 337 Feedbacks

February 21, 20090 found this helpful

It sounds to me like it is something that someone in the family is using on their feet. Does anyone use any wart medicine or lotions or anything like that? Could it be something is being tracked in from the bathroom on bare feet?

Since these stains are by the bathroom and closets, it strikes me as something coming off of bare feet. Or something used to clean in the bathroom being tracked throughout the house?

By crazyliblady (Guest Post)

February 22, 20090 found this helpful

I agree with the first poster's idea about feet. Does anyone in the family put lotions or oils on their feet? If so, and it does not completely soak in, it could appear as spots on your carpet.

lauren22

May 30, 20090 found this helpful

I live in an apartment and have the same problem! So do some of the other tenants! Its ruined my rug also! This building was flooded a few years ago, could it be mold?

rajesh

November 17, 20090 found this helpful

We have seen exactly similar spots and worried about the source! Did any one got any idea? Please post your comments. Thank you all.

phardin357

September 9, 20160 found this helpful

The same sort of oily feeling staining appeared on my carpet in the last day. Some is near a wall, but not all. Stains covered a very large area in a very short time.

I live alone and they could not have been caused by anyone other than me - And I know it wasn't me.
The carpet is very old. I have no pets. The staining is in an area where foot traffic is not really possible.

delaneypjc

November 6, 20170 found this helpful

I have the same problem! They came out of nowhere! Look like small circles of rust. Has anyone found the source?

turgeonjennifer

October 16, 20180 found this helpful

Has anyone figured these out. Im having same problem.

lena2960

March 31, 20190 found this helpful

I am having the same problem! Has anyone figured this out?

Anonymous

September 26, 20190 found this helpful

I have the same problem. I am thinking that it may be bug larva?? I saw a fly on one of my spots and it made me wonder.

dgdg

December 29, 20200 found this helpful

Same problem. First on rugs then over the years noticed in on some cabinet and doors, but never on walls. Looks like a mixture of liquid and and solid brown, rust colored excrement that has dried. If it's on carpet you won't notice the liquid but on vertical surface you clearly see the oily liquid part the dried but left a mark and at the lowest point some solid part.

This is some unknown pest which after many years still don't know what it is.

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