If you’ve discovered carpet beetles in your home, it’s time to take action. These destructive pests can damage carpets, clothing, and various fabrics throughout your house. This complete guide will walk you through effective strategies to identify, prevent, and ultimately how to get rid of carpet beetles.
Quick Picks: How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles
Editor’s Choice
People’s Choice
Best Professional Option
Identifying Carpet Beetles
Before treating an infestation, it’s important to properly identify carpet beetles. There are several common species that may damage your fabrics:
Adult carpet beetle
Black carpet beetle – highly destructive
Carpet beetle larvae – causes most damage
Black Carpet Beetles
The most widespread and destructive species. These pests feed on fur, hair, dead animal materials, woolen products, and plant materials.
Varied Carpet Beetles
Smaller than black carpet beetles with a more colorful appearance.
Common Carpet Beetles
Round, black or yellow bugs. Their larvae often attack carpets and can also eat woolens, silk, furs, and feathers.
Furniture Carpet Beetles
Usually found on furniture where they feed on padding, hair, and feathers.
Signs of a Carpet Beetle Infestation
Watch for these indicators of carpet beetle activity in your home:
- Small, round holes in fabrics like wool, clothing, or carpets
- Shed skins or exoskeletons
- Tiny brown or black insects crawling around carpets or furniture
- Fecal spots from beetles
- Beetles gathered near windows and baseboards
Carpet Beetles’ Favorite Hiding Places
Carpet beetles prefer dark, undisturbed areas. Check these common hiding spots:
- Underneath furniture
- Inside cracks and crevices
- Under baseboards
- Under the edges of carpet
- Around door casings
- In upholstered furniture
- In air ducts or other hard-to-reach places
Carpet Beetles vs. Moth Damage
Carpet beetle infestations may sometimes be mistaken for clothes moths because both types of insects damage similar materials. The female clothes moth lays her eggs on carpets or other fabric items that have been damaged by carpet beetle larvae. When the eggs hatch, the new baby clothes moths will have a food supply waiting for them, creating a cycle of ongoing damage.
If you are unsure whether you’re dealing with carpet beetles or moths, it’s best to call in a professional pest control company for proper identification and treatment.
5-Step Guide to Getting Rid of Carpet Beetles
Follow this comprehensive approach to eliminate carpet beetles from your home:
Step 1: Make a Thorough Inspection
The first step in controlling carpet beetles is identifying all infested areas in your home.
Remember that adult beetles and larvae may not be in the same location. Adults are most active at night and tend to hide during the day. Use a good flashlight to inspect dark corners, under furniture, and along baseboards.
For a thorough inspection, use tools like:
- A bright flashlight
- A small knife or spatula to check crevices
- A nail file to probe tight spaces
Pay special attention to wool items, natural fiber rugs, fur, feathers, and silk materials which are particularly attractive to carpet beetles.
Step 2: Clean Up Clutter and Vacuum Thoroughly
Good housekeeping is crucial for preventing and eliminating carpet beetle infestations:
- Remove excess paper, boxes, or bags from your home
- Vacuum carpets, furniture, and curtains thoroughly to remove eggs, larvae, and adult beetles
- Dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed trash bag outdoors immediately after use
- Clean outdoor trash bins and check for dead insects in fissures and pipes that might attract carpet beetles
- Inspect storage areas and launder clothing in hot water
- Store clean clothing in airtight containers
- Discard heavily infested items that cannot be salvaged
Step 3: Apply Insecticides
When necessary, use appropriate insecticides to treat infested areas:
- Use products specifically labeled for carpet beetles
- Apply insecticides to carpets, rugs, and other affected areas according to label instructions
- Treat potential entry points like door frames, windows, vents, and utility pipes
- Keep pets and children away from treated areas until products have completely dried
Additional Treatment Methods
- Boric Acid: Spread boric acid onto fabric furniture and carpets. The acid attaches to the bug’s body and kills it after ingestion. Vacuum within 2 hours of application to prevent bleaching of flooring.
- Mothballs: Store clothing and fabrics in sealed containers with mothballs. Ensure they remain in sealed spaces to prevent toxic substances from being released.
- Prevention Sprays: Consider using natural or commercial prevention sprays formulated for carpet beetles.
Step 4: Monitor Infested Areas
After treatment, continue to monitor previously infested areas for any signs of beetle activity:
- Check for new damage to fabrics or carpets
- Look for shed skins, larvae, or adult beetles
- Pay special attention to dark, undisturbed areas where beetles prefer to hide
- Be particularly vigilant in humid conditions, as carpet beetles thrive in these environments
If you notice any new or continued activity, repeat the cleaning and treatment steps as necessary.
Step 5: Prevent Future Infestations
Take preventive measures to reduce the risk of future carpet beetle problems:
- Vacuum regularly, especially in rarely disturbed areas
- Clean and dust frequently to remove lint, hair, and other potential food sources
- Store wool, fur, and other susceptible items in sealed containers with moth repellents
- Wash natural fiber clothing and fabrics in hot water before storing them long-term
- Seal cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and utility access points
- Inspect cut flowers for beetles before bringing them indoors (adults feed on flower pollen)
Regular cleaning and proper storage of susceptible materials will greatly reduce the risk of infestation. For severe infestations, consider consulting professional pest control services for comprehensive treatment.
Best Sprays for Carpet Beetles Reviewed
After extensive research and testing, these three products have proven most effective for eliminating carpet beetles.
Wondercide Indoor Pest Control Spray
Editor's Choice
How Does It Work
How to Use
- Before spraying, read the product label carefully and follow all instructions. Wondercide is safe to use on most surfaces, but you should avoid contact with the eyes and mouth.
- Hold the bottle about 12 inches away from the surface and spray in short, even strokes. Be sure to cover the entire area being treated.
- Allow the product to dry completely before returning to the treated area. Keep pets and children out of the room until the spray has dried completely.
- Natural ingredients that repel and kill pests
- Safe for use around pets and family
- Ready-to-use formula with no mixing required
- Pleasant natural scent
- May need more frequent application than chemical alternatives
- Not as effective for severe infestations
- Should avoid contact with eyes and mouth
Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer
People's Choice
How Does It Work
How to Use
- Always read and follow the product label instructions before use.
- Spray directly on insects for immediate results.
- Apply to baseboards, corners, and entry points where carpet beetles may enter.
- Do not apply near food or water sources.
- Allow to dry completely before allowing pets or children into treated areas.
- Kills carpet beetles on contact
- Provides long-lasting residual protection
- Non-staining and odor-free formula
- Easy application with the comfort wand
- Contains chemicals that can be harmful if ingested
- May cause irritation or allergic reactions in some people
Suspend SC Insecticide
Best Professional Option
How Does It Work
How to Use
- Mix Suspend SC with water according to the product label instructions.
- Use a spray bottle to apply the solution to areas where carpet beetles have been spotted.
- Apply directly to insects when possible for immediate results.
- Spray in areas where carpet beetles might be hiding, such as in corners, under furniture, or along baseboards.
- Always follow all safety instructions on the product label.
- Highly concentrated formula provides excellent value
- Kills insects effectively on contact
- Odorless application won't leave unpleasant smells
- Professional-grade strength for serious infestations
- May cause skin irritation if not handled properly
- Harmful if swallowed
- Requires mixing before use
Frequently Asked Questions
Do carpet beetles fly?
Yes, adult carpet beetles can fly. They are attracted to colored flowers and flowering plants near houses. Due to their small size, these pests can easily enter through doors, windows, and other small openings.
Certain scents and odors attract them to your home. These beetles can fly through unscreened windows or migrate from neighboring apartments.
What do carpet beetles eat?
Carpet beetle larvae feed on a variety of materials including:
- Animal-based fibers like wool, fur, feathers, and silk
- Pet hair and dander
- Dead insects
- Cotton, linen, and rayon in some cases
- Food debris and crumbs
Adult beetles primarily feed on flower pollen outdoors but come inside to lay eggs near food sources for their larvae.
What scents keep carpet beetles away?
Several essential oils can help repel carpet beetles:
- Peppermint oil
- Clove oil
- Eucalyptus oil
- Cedarwood oil
- Lemongrass oil
- Citrus oils
Try placing a few drops of these oils on cotton balls and positioning them in areas where you’ve seen beetles. You can also diffuse these oils throughout your home or create a spray solution to apply to affected areas.
Why do carpet beetles keep coming back?
Carpet beetles may return for several reasons:
- Incomplete treatment that didn’t eliminate all eggs and larvae
- Continued food sources from pet hair, dead insects, or natural fibers
- Easy access points through small cracks and openings
- Neighboring infestations that allow beetles to migrate into your home
- Attractive conditions like humidity and darkness
To prevent recurring infestations, seal entry points, maintain regular cleaning, and store susceptible materials in airtight containers.
What time of year do carpet beetles come out?
Carpet beetles can be active year-round inside homes with suitable temperatures, but they are most commonly seen in late summer and early fall. This is when they are most active, seeking shelter from heat and looking for food sources. Adult beetles may also become more visible in spring when they emerge to mate and lay eggs.
Conclusion
Carpet beetles can cause significant damage to your home’s fabrics and furnishings if left untreated. By following the 5-step process outlined in this guide—thorough inspection, cleaning, applying appropriate treatments, monitoring, and prevention—you can effectively eliminate these pests and protect your home from future infestations.
For treatment products, consider your specific needs:
- Wondercide is excellent for eco-conscious households or homes with pets
- Ortho Home Defense works well for larger areas that need immediate and lasting protection
- Suspend SC provides professional-grade treatment for serious infestations
Remember that consistent prevention through regular cleaning and proper storage of susceptible materials is your best defense against carpet beetles. For severe or persistent infestations, don’t hesitate to consult with professional pest control services.
