How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles | 7 Step Easy Guide

I have struggled with carpet beetle issues for many years. Have tried the baking soda trick, sprayed strong carpet beetle sprays, and even done professional beetle removals. Nothing could keep those annoying bugs away. So, How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles?

The straight answer is to break the lifecycles. Adult beetles lay eggs in the hard-to-reach areas and within a few weeks a new group is back. I have been following these easy 7 steps and never struggled with those beetle problems again!

In this guide, I will help you eliminate the carpet beetles from their roots and keep them away forever. So, let’s dive in for the carpet beetle hunts. 

What Are Carpet Beetles and How Do They Look?

The first thing is to identify the carpet beetles as many people confuse them with bed bugs. Carpet beetles do not feed on human blood. They feed on fabrics like silks, wool, linen, carpet furs, and feathers. 

Carpet beetles are tiny brownish-black pests that often go unnoticed. However, do not let its size fool you. They can cause significant damage to your clothes, carpets, and furniture. The notorious feeding habit of fibres makes them a common household pest. 

Here are three common types of carpet beetles that you may find in your house: 

Varied carpet beetle

Varied carpet beetles are the most commonly found creatures in the USA. The adults are oval-shaped and are 2-3 mm long. The wing has brown, yellow, and black patterns. They commonly live within the carpets and furniture fabrics. 

Black carpet beetle

Black carpet beetles are another widespread pest in the USA and can cause significant damage. The adults have brown legs and black somewhat shiny wings. They are oval and are about 3–5 mm long. 

Common carpet beetles/Attagenus pellio

Scientifically named, Attagenus pellio or skin beetle is the most common species in Britain. These dark brown beetles have tiny hairs all over them and have white spots on the wings. An adult beetle is almost 6.5 mm long and has an oval shape. 

Where Does Carpet Beetle Come From?

Understanding the source where the carpet beetles are coming from is an effective solution to stop their unwelcoming entrance. We will discuss the How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles below. 

Carpet beetles enter the house through doors, windows, cracks, and crevices. These are natural habitats of the outside where they can feed on pollen and nectar. Once these pests are inside, they seek fabrics where they can lay eggs. Carpets, dark clothes organiser, hand-knotted rugs and furniture are their favourite home. 

5 Signs That You Have Carpet Beetles 

Carpet beetle’s eggs and larvae are so tiny and hard to see. Most people can not notice them and realise when the rugs are damaged. Here are the 5 common signs that may help you identify carpet beetles early: 

Beetle eggs

You may notice tiny, white eggs in untouched areas of closets, dark boxes, under mattresses, or behind furniture. These dark eggs are usually less than 1 mm and must be diagnosed within a week. 

Shed skins

As the leaves develop they produce moulded skins. If you find these skins frequently inside the closet or on the carpets, it’s a sign. 

Dead beetles near windows 

The adult beetles are drawn to bright light. If you encounter dead beetles next to window sills, lamps, and other bright areas, it is confirmed that there is a carpet beetle cycle growing in your house.

Larvae or allergic reactions

If you face sudden itchiness or red rashes all over your skin this could be a sign of an allergic reaction to carpet beetle larvae. Check your carpets and furniture for the small hairy larvae. 

Holes in fabrics

Another major sign is the holes in the carpets and fabrics. As the larvae and adult beetles feed on fibres, the damages are evidence of carpet beetle attacks. 

How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles?

The carpet beetles were invading my living room carpets and hand-knitted rugs. Here is what I did to get rid of them forever:

Step 1: Eliminate the Source 

The first and most important step is to locate where the beetles are entering your house and eliminate the source completely. Identify where they are most active and where they have made their own home. 

These insects are not very adventurous. They are most likely to stay in dark places, closer to closets, under rugs, inside furniture, and under mattresses. It can also be dark cabinet corners where the dry foods are. 

Step 2: Check for Carpet Beetle Larvae Nest 

At this point, release your inner hunter! The next step is to locate the possible larva nest to end the carpet beetle cycle from the root. For serious infestations, follow these methods: 

• Put contaminated textiles in airtight containers and put them in the freezer for around 48 hours. It will kill the larvae. 
• You can also wash the clothes and carpets with hot water to destroy the eggs and larvae. 
• Stream cleaning the furniture and carpets may also help get rid of the growing larvae. 

Step 3: Vacuum Thoroughly 

The most important step of How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles is vacuuming every corner thoroughly. It is a major part of the defence. Pay close attention to upholstered furniture, baseboards, and crevices where the larvae and beetles might hide. Do a weekly vacuum of the closed and dark places. 

Step 4: Apply Powerful Bug Spray 

After vacuuming the carpets and hard-to-reach places, I apply a powerful bug spray. You can effectively target the infestations using a good carpet spray. Here are some options for you: 

Natural bug sprays

Take a few drops of strong essential oils and neem water on a spray bottle and spray all over the carpets and furniture. This all-natural option or diluted solution can keep more of the carpets safe from further bug attacks. 

Chemical bug sprays

You can also look for commercial pesticides that contain chemicals such as bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, or deltamethrin. These are the most effective on carpet beetles. 

Step 5: Protect Other Stored Items 

Only cleaning and spraying beetle-killing dilutions are not enough. To protect the other stored items you must get rid of the affected items. If you have found evidence of damaged clothes in the closet or highly damaged carpets, it is best to throw them away.

It can be tempting to keep the damaged items. Even carpet beetle eggs might be hidden within the clothes. They are more likely to prolong the infestations. 

Step 6: Install Insect Screen 

As I have suffered from the carpet beetle infestation badly, the prevention from the solution was rescuing. If you have dealt with this issue in the past, the best thing is to install insect screens on your doors and windows. It will prevent the beetles from coming in. 

This tip is especially effective for people who have gardens and often tend to leave their doors and windows open. Install the screens and you will thank me later!

Step 7: Seek Professional Advice 

The land step is to constantly take professional advice. When all else fails or you are dealing with massive carpet beetle issues, make sure to contact an exterminator with expertise. It will help you primarily deal with the situation. 

After you clean your carpets and rugs with the help of professionals, follow the above guide to keep the beetles from coming back. It has helped me reduce the spread of the pests within weeks. 

Are Carpet Beetles Harmful?

Carpet beetles are not harmful in terms of biting or spreading infections. These insects do not feed on human blood or attack humans. However, the hairy larvae are something to be concerned about. They shed hairs which cause skin irritations, itching, redness, rashes, and other allergic reactions. 

Additionally, though the carpet beetles may not harm your pets directly, they may also get irritated by prolonged exposure to these larva hairs. The lavas cause significant damage to the carpets, rugs, furniture and natural fabrics like wool, silk, and leather. 

How to Keep Carpet Beetles Away?

These additional tips have helped me to keep the carpet beetles away forever. Let’s explore: 

•  Try to keep the doors and windows closed if you have not installed window screens.
• Store clothing and linen materials in airtight containers or garment bags.
• Apply white vinegar after washing the carpets and rugs as beetles dislike the strong smell of vinegar. 
• If you also love indoor plants and flowers, make sure to inspect them before bringing them indoors. 
• I prefer steam cleaning furniture and rugs to kill the beetle eggs and larvae. 

Final Thoughts 

These tiny creatures surely know how to cause trouble. They are the experts in damaging fabrics, clothes, and carpets. It is essential to understand where carpet beetles come from, what they look like, and how to get rid of carpet beetles. Hope this guide has been helpful for you. 

Follow the above steps and you will be an expert on your own. Being a proactive cleaner is the key. Say goodbye to the carpet beetles and enjoy a safer and cleaner home!

Do not forget to share your experience through the comment box below and feel free to share if you need any other household guide.

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