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Carpet Beetle Guide

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Carpet Beetle Identification Guide

How to Recognize Carpet Beetles

Carpet beetles are small, often mistaken for bed bugs, and can cause significant damage if left unchecked. These pests are drawn to natural fibers, making items like carpets, furniture, clothing, and even the felt under furniture and lamps susceptible to their destruction. They are also known to infest musical instrument cases.

Unlike bed bugs, carpet beetles do not bite. However, contact with carpet beetle larvae can cause irritation or a sensation similar to a bite due to their long, stiff hairs.

There are several species of carpet beetles, including:

  • Varied Carpet Beetle
  • Black Carpet Beetle
  • Furniture Carpet Beetle
  • Common Carpet Beetle

All species pose the greatest threat during the larvae stage when they are most destructive. Fortunately, the treatment methods are the same regardless of the species.

Learn to identify carpet beetles by reading this guide. If you confirm their presence in your home or office, proceed to our 4-Part Carpet Beetle Guide to discover where these pests hide and how to eliminate them effectively.

Carpet Beetle Characteristics

Size

  • Larvae: 4–8 millimeters long
  • Adults: 2–5 millimeters long

Shape

  • Adult Carpet Beetles: Oval-shaped with six legs, two antennae, and hard, rounded bodies. They have wings beneath their shells.
  • Larvae: Often resemble fuzzy worms, featuring bands across their bodies and long, hair-like extensions on one or both ends.

Color

Adult Carpet Beetles

  • Varied Carpet Beetles: Black with white, brown, and yellow scales in an irregular pattern.
  • Furniture Carpet Beetles: Black with white, brown, yellow, and orange scales, featuring larger, more distinct scales.
  • Common Carpet Beetles: Black, white, and red scales.
  • Black Carpet Beetles: Completely black without scales.

Note: Scales on varied and furniture carpet beetles may wear off over time.

Carpet Beetle Larvae

  • Furniture Carpet Beetle Larvae: Begin white and develop into a red or chestnut color with brown bands.
  • Varied Carpet Beetle Larvae: Have light and dark stripes and are covered with dark hairs.
  • Black Carpet Beetle Larvae: Smooth-bodied, hairless, and either brown or black.
  • Common Carpet Beetle Larvae: Red-brown in color with dark hair.

Range
Carpet beetles are found throughout the United States.

Discovered a carpet beetle? Explore the next section of our comprehensive 4-part carpet beetle guide to uncover common hiding spots in your home. Click the right arrow below to continue.

Carpet Beetle Inspection Guide

How to Locate Carpet Beetles in Your Home

Carpet beetles and their larvae, though tiny—about the size of a pinhead—can cause significant damage to carpets, furniture, clothing, and other fabrics. If you suspect a carpet beetle infestation, locating the source is a critical first step in developing an effective treatment plan.

Read the guide below to learn how to identify where carpet beetles may be hiding in your home or office.

Not sure if the bugs you’ve found are carpet beetles? Review part one of our guide to learn what carpet beetles look like.

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Carpet Beetles Are Attracted to Natural Fibers

Carpet beetles are drawn to natural fibers and are commonly found in items like carpets, but their appetite extends to other natural materials, including:

  • Silk
  • Fresh flowers
  • Wool
  • Paint brushes
  • Pet fur and human hair

While carpet beetles typically avoid synthetic fibers, they can be attracted to them if the fibers are contaminated with human or animal sweat, oil, or blood. Flowers can also draw carpet beetles due to their pollen and nectar, making fresh flowers a common way for carpet beetles to be unknowingly brought indoors. Be sure to inspect any flowers carefully before bringing them inside.

Carpet beetles can even infest dry stored food products like rice, grains, and pet food.

Inspect These Items for Carpet Beetles

Pay special attention to these areas and objects, especially if they’re made of natural fibers:

  • Rugs
  • Carpets
  • Blankets
  • Furniture

Carpet Beetle Larvae Prefer Dark Areas

Carpet beetle larvae thrive in dark, undisturbed spaces. Common hiding spots include:

  • Closets
  • Cabinets and pantries
  • Attics
  • Basements
  • Garages
  • Inside air vents and ducts

Unlike larvae, adult carpet beetles are attracted to light and can often be found near light fixtures and window sills. Since adult carpet beetles do not cause damage, spotting them indoors indicates you should search dark areas for larvae.

Don’t Overlook These Spots
Carpet beetles can also hide in unexpected areas, such as:

  • Inside musical instrument cases, feeding on felt or velvet linings
  • Beneath lamps with felt or velvet pads
  • Under furniture or its legs with felt or velvet padding
  • Inside rodent bait stations or feeding on carcasses of dead rodents (regularly empty bait stations to avoid this)
  • On taxidermied animals
  • In or on fresh flowers, a common way they are unknowingly introduced into homes

Found Carpet Beetles?
If you’ve identified carpet beetles in your home, the next step is learning how to eliminate them. Continue to the next section of our 4-part guide to find out how to get rid of carpet beetles. Click the right arrow below to continue.

Carpet Beetle Treatment Guide

Effective Solutions for Eliminating Carpet Beetles

Carpet beetles are tiny but destructive pests capable of causing significant damage to clothing, furniture, carpets, and other items made from natural animal fibers if left unaddressed. Fortunately, with the proper products and a strategic treatment plan, you can effectively eliminate a carpet beetle infestation.

Read on to discover the best methods and tools for treating carpet beetles in your home.

Step1 Prepare Your Home for Treatment

Identifying the source of the carpet beetle infestation is essential for effective treatment. Once the source has been located, follow these preparatory steps to make the control process more effective:

Step1.1 Vacuum Daily

Vacuuming daily is a simple yet powerful tool for combating carpet beetles. This removes carpet beetles, larvae, and eggs from your home. After vacuuming, immediately empty the vacuum contents into a sealed trash bag and place it in an outdoor garbage can. Focus on dark areas like closets, upholstered furniture, curtains, and rugs that cannot go in a washing machine.

Step1.2 Clean Fabrics with High Heat

Wash all washable fabrics on high heat (over 120°F) and then dry them on high heat to kill any larvae or eggs. Don’t overlook bedding, towels, clothing, or other washable linens. For fabrics that can’t be washed, like silk, dry cleaning or placing items in the dryer on high heat will kill all life stages of carpet beetles.

Step1.3 Steam Carpets and Furniture (Optional)

Steam cleaning is highly effective for killing carpet beetles on contact. Use a steamer on carpets, rugs, curtains, and furniture. Professional carpet cleaning services can also steam larger areas if needed.

Step2 Treat with Insecticide and IGR

Our Carpet Beetle Control Kit is designed to tackle infestations effectively with professional-grade products.

Products we recommend for Step 2

Step2.1 Select an Insecticide

Choose a product specifically labeled for carpet beetles, such as Nyguard Plus, which combines an insecticide and an insect growth regulator (IGR) to prevent eggs from hatching.

Products we recommend for Step 2.1

Pro Tip

If the insecticide you select does not already contain an IGR, consider adding one, such as Gentrol, to enhance its effectiveness.

For liquid insecticides, combine the insecticide and IGR with water in a sprayer according to the instructions on the product labels. Ensure you measure the correct amounts of each product and water. Once mixed, securely close the sprayer and shake it well to create a uniform solution. Always wear closed-toe shoes, long sleeves, and gloves for protection while handling insecticides.

Step2.2 Treat Your Home

Apply the insecticide to these areas:

  • Carpets and rugs (refer to the product label for broadcast or spot treatment instructions)
  • Underneath furniture
  • Around door and window frames
  • Shelving and closet interiors
  • Cracks, crevices, and baseboards

Remove children and pets from treated rooms until the product has dried completely (1-2 hours).

Step3 Use Insecticide Dust for Hard-to-Reach Areas

For areas that are inaccessible to sprays, such as wall voids or cracks, use CimeXa Insecticide Dust with a hand duster. The slow-acting dust offers long-lasting residual control to eliminate carpet beetles in these areas effectively.

Products we recommend for Step 3

Step4 Monitor Your Infestation with Glue Traps

Glue traps are excellent for capturing adult carpet beetles and monitoring your infestation. Place traps in closets, pantries, and dark corners. Over time, you should notice fewer trapped beetles. If activity persists after 21 days, reapply treatment.

Products we recommend for Step 4

If you’re uncertain about identifying carpet beetles, consult our Carpet Beetle Identification Guide before starting treatment. Once the infestation is eliminated, follow our Carpet Beetle Prevention Guide to stop future infestations. Click the right arrow below to learn more.

Carpet Beetle Prevention Guide

Tips to Keep Carpet Beetles Away

Carpet beetles can wreak havoc on your belongings once they invade your home. Follow this guide to learn effective strategies to prevent a carpet beetle infestation.

Already dealing with carpet beetles? Check out our guide on eliminating carpet beetles.

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Step1 Maintain a Clean Yard

Carpet beetles often enter your home from the outdoors. Keeping your yard tidy can significantly reduce the likelihood of these pests making their way inside.

  • Remove bird nests, wasp nests, and spider webs around your property, as carpet beetles often harbor in these areas.
  • Trim back pollinating plants near or touching your home, as the pollen attracts carpet beetles.
  • Keep mulch and pine straw at least 6 inches away from your home’s foundation.

For additional tips on deterring carpet beetles and other pests, refer to our general pest prevention guide and watch the helpful video below.

Step2 Keep Your Home Clean

Maintaining a clean home is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent a carpet beetle infestation.

  • Regularly vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstery to remove any stray carpet beetle eggs or larvae.
  • Wash linens, curtains, and other fabrics frequently and dry them on high heat to kill any carpet beetles, larvae, or eggs that may have entered your home.

These straightforward cleaning habits can make a significant difference in preventing an infestation.

Step3 Check Foliage Before Bringing Indoors

Carpet beetles are naturally drawn to flower pollen. To prevent them from entering your home, carefully inspect flowers and plants for any signs of carpet beetles before bringing them inside, whether they are from your garden or purchased from a store.

Step4 Store Linens and Decorations in Airtight Containers

Carpet beetles are drawn to natural fibers such as silk, fur, and leather, making clothing and linens prime targets. Protect these items by storing unused fabrics in airtight containers to keep them safe from damage.

Holiday decorations like wreaths are another common item often overlooked when it comes to proper storage. To avoid attracting carpet beetles, store these decorations in airtight containers, especially if they are kept in dark areas like attics or basements.

We hope this guide has been helpful. Not sure if you have carpet beetles in your home? Check out our guide on identifying carpet beetles.

If you do have carpet beetles, learn where they hide and how to get rid of them, or contact our customer service experts at [placeholder number/email].

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