Carpet Beetles: Frequently Asked Questions

You are relaxing on your living room rug and suddenly notice a small, black beetle scurrying around through the carpet fibers. These very small bugs are called carpet beetles and if left unchecked, the carpet beetles will begin spreading beyond your carpet and into other areas of your home. If you are concerned you might have carpet beetles, here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions you might have about this pest.

What Exactly Are Carpet Beetles?

Adult carpet beetles are very small and either black or a combination of brown, white, and yellow. The adult carpet beetles feed on pollen and will not do any damage to the fabrics throughout your home. When the carpet beetle is in the larval stage, however, is when you will notice damage to your rugs, bedding, and clothing in the closet.

The female carpet beetle will often lay hundreds of eggs. The larvae that emerge from these eggs will burrow into any natural fabrics found throughout the home, including wool, silk, satin, leather, and linen, and begin consuming the fibers. If you have synthetic carpets in your home, the larvae will eat the sweat, food scraps, and natural oils from your skin that are found on the rugs.

Where Can I Find Carpet Beetles in My Home?

As the name would suggest, you would find the larvae of carpet beetles on your carpets and rugs. However, the larvae will dine on any natural fibers throughout the home. The adult carpet beetles will often be found on your windowsills or on the floor behind your exterior doors. This is because the adult beetles will fly into your home looking for a meal.

How Can I Get Rid of Carpet Beetles?

It is important to eliminate both the adult and larval forms of carpet beetles throughout your home. If the carpet beetle larvae are on your favorite wool rug in the front room and inside your closet, remove these items immediately and either discard them or wash them in very hot water. Vacuuming often will also eliminate the larvae from your carpets.

How Can I Prevent Carpet Beetles from Invading My Home?  

The best way to eliminate carpet beetles from your home is to prevent the beetles from getting into your home in the first place. Keep your rugs clean and remove any adult beetles immediately when you see them. The best way to keep carpet beetles out is to work with a professional pest control agency.

Carpet beetles are a common pest that can cause serious damage to your carpets, clothing, and furniture. Contact a professional pest control agent with any additional questions.