Carpet beetles, also known as skin beetles, are small, oval-shaped pests that infest not only carpets, but other animal materials such as wool, fur, felt, silk, feathers, skins, and leather. Adult carpet beetles are primarily found outside consuming flower pollen, but they will fly into a home and leave larvae to reap havoc on your rugs, carpets, and other keratin-infused materials. In fact, some variety of carpet beetles can even infest seeds, cereals, pet food, and other plant-based materials. They can be found virtually anywhere in your home, making them quite the challenge to eliminate.
How do you know when you have a carpet beetle problem?
If you have an infestation of carpet beetles in your home, you’ll notice these signs:
- Hairy, worm-like larvae on your floors, in your carpet, or around your kitchen.
- Holes in your natural fiber items and clothes, such as sweaters, scarves, coats, blankets, rugs, down pillows, comforters, upholstery, toys, decorative items, and taxidermy mounts.
- An accumulation of adult beetles around your windows in the spring.
What attracts carpet beetles?
- Light, especially at nighttime.
- Open doors and windows, especially if they are screenless
- An accumulation of dead insects piling up in your garage or behind your furniture.
- Easy access to natural fibers
- Fresh flowers in your home
- Food sources in your carpets and rugs, such as pet and human hair, seeds, grains, flour, etc.
- Dirty laundry
- Old furniture
How do you get rid of these pests?
Prevention is Key!
- One of the best ways to keep carpet beetles away is make sure all susceptible items are dry-cleaned or laundered before being stored away for extended periods of time. Cleaning not only kills the larvae that may be present, it also eliminates odors caused from perspiration that can act as an attractant. Make sure your items are stored in tight-fitting plastic bags or containers.
- Moth balls, flakes, or crystals are another preventative measure that is effective at keeping these pests away. Just be sure to carefully read and follow the directions, as this product can be hazardous if used incorrectly. Never scatter them in open closets or areas where pets and children can reach them.
- Protect your valuable garments from infestations by storing them in cold vaults. This is a service that is typically offered by some department stores and furriers.
- Purchase rugs and furniture made from synthetic materials.
- Keep an eye out for bird nests around your home and in your attic.
- The last way to prevent carpet beetles is to clean and sanitize! Vacuum your home regularly, especially on windowsills and in places where bugs like to hide, such as along edges of carpets, along baseboards, underneath furniture and stored items, and inside closets and vents. Always wash your clothes regularly and keep your home clean, sanitized, and free of any stains and spills as much as possible!
What to do if you already have carpet beetles in your home?
- First, locate all infested items. Carpet beetles love to dwell in dark, undisturbed areas where stored items are kept for lengthy periods of time. Inspect clothing seams, folds, and creases where larvae prefer to feed. Check lower edges of carpets, under and within upholstered furniture, or inside floor vents and ducts that may have pet hair and lint accumulation. Once found, infested items—as well as any nearby items—should be laundered, dry-cleaned, or discarded. Bagging heavily infested items before disposal will help prevent the spread of beetles. Be sure to vacuum all the spots where infestation was found to kill larvae and prevent future incidents.
- Insecticides are another good supplement that can be used on infected rugs and carpets. You can look for sprays recommended for flea control or with fabric insect prevention on the label. Both are effective. When spraying, pay special attention to carpet edges and the junction between walls and floors. Also, treat beneath furniture and at the bottom of closets. If your bedding or clothing is infested, do not spray insecticide on these items.
- Glue traps are useful for detecting infestations in the early stages when carpet beetles are hard to find by inspection alone. They can be used with or without attractant lure.
- If you have a household, chest, or walk-in freezer available, then you have another tool that is effective at killing carpet beetles. Before freezing infested items, such as clothing, they should be placed in plastic bags or wrapped in polyethylene sheeting then sealed with tape. This is to prevent frost and ice from forming on the objects during the chilling process. Once wrapped, place items in the freezer at a minimum temperature of zero degrees Fahrenheit for at least one week to eliminate the pests. After freezing, objects should be allowed to return to room temperature for about twenty-four hours before being unwrapped or handled. This will help reduce breakage.
Last, one of the best options for getting rid of carpet beetles is finding a pest control company that specializes in Integrated Pest Management, or IPM. These companies offer multiple solutions for most pest problems and will help pinpoint and troubleshoot your carpet beetle problem while offering you a pest-free home and peace of mind.
