How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles?

Carpet beetles, one of the most destructive invasive insects, can cause serious damage to bedding, clothing, carpets, and upholstered furniture if left unchecked. Read on to learn everything you need to know about carpet beetles, including what they look like, their eggs, and the signs of an infestation.

What bugs live in carpets?

Carpet beetles are small insects that can become household pests if left unchecked. Young carpet beetles and larvae feed on natural fibers such as wool, silk, and leather, as well as animal products, including pet hair. Adults feed on pollen, plants, and flowers.

Carpet beetles can also be found in other corners of the house: curtains, clothes, furniture, bedding, plants and flowers, pet beds, pet biscuits, stuffed animals, or birds’ nests in the chimney or roof.

But what do carpet beetles look like? In their adult stage, they measure up to 4 mm in length, have an oval body, and a shell striped with black, white, and yellow or orange.

This common household pest reproduces by laying white eggs, less than 1 mm long. Carpet beetles can lay over a hundred eggs at a time, which hatch in 10 to 30 days. The larvae are larger than the adult beetle, measuring 2.5 cm, and are light brown or black.

What do carpet beetles do?

This pest can enter the home through an open door or window, or via an already infested object, such as furniture, plants, or animal hides. Beetles are particularly comfortable in textiles and animal products.

If the area is not kept clean and disinfected, carpet beetles can easily proliferate in the home, especially in areas without direct sunlight, such as along baseboards or in shady corners.

The larvae can damage natural fibers as they feed, leaving holes in blankets and clothing. If they attach to clothing, the bristling hairs can also irritate human skin and cause dermestid beetle dermatitis.

Tricks to get rid of carpet beetles

Vacuum regularly, because baby beetles love dead skin, human or pet hair, and any insects they can find in carpets, curtains, or other textiles. Regular vacuuming reduces feeding opportunities for the beetles and also gives you the chance to vacuum up larvae and eggs. Pay particular attention to carpeting along baseboards.

• Steam cleaning. Just like with vacuuming, experts recommend steam cleaning hard surfaces. The heat and moisture eliminate beetle remains and eggs.
• Spray surfaces with vinegar. Another tip for getting rid of carpet beetles is to clean surfaces, windowsills, shelves, drawers, and hangers with a vinegar mixture. Be sure to regularly clean up any remaining dirt or food.
• Thoroughly clean infested areas. Eliminate larvae and beetles by regularly washing textiles and cleaning furniture surfaces. Be careful with pesticides, as they can be toxic to humans and pets, and are also harmful to the environment.
• Machine wash all contaminated textiles. Program a high-temperature wash cycle to disinfect clothes and blankets, but check the labels before putting them in the washing machine.
• Check your plants and flowers. Before watering or when cleaning the leaves, check for carpet beetles, especially when you bring the pots indoors for the first time.
• Seal all gaps around doors and windows. Also seal any cracks, so you can be sure no pests are inhabiting them.
• Store dry goods in airtight containers. Carpet beetles like to feed on dry products, such as flour and dried pasta. Make sure jars and cupboards are tightly sealed.

Use of Essential Oils

Oils such as peppermint, cedarwood, and tea tree are known to deter beetles. These can be applied around entry points or in areas where beetles are active.

Spraying neem oil on plants, furniture, or directly on beetles has been shown to determine lower levels of infestation.

Finally, if none of this works and you can’t locate the larvae, call an authorized pest control service and ask for professional advice.