How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles, According to Professional Exterminators

Dealing with a bug infestation is never a good time, but getting rid of carpet beetles is notoriously difficult. These teeny pests get right to business the second they enter your home, laying near-microscopic eggs everywhere they wander. So not only do you have the crawling critters to deal with, but you also need to remove carpet beetle eggs before they hatch. 

Unfortunately, carpet beetles don’t just go away on their own and require immediate intervention. We spoke to professional insect exterminators about the signs of carpet beetles and how to get rid of carpet beetles once and for all. 

What Are Carpet Beetles?

Carpet beetles are very small oval-shaped bugs that have a mixed pattern of black, brown, and white on their bodies. They’re typically about 1 to 4 mm in length, which means you can see them with the naked eye, but they can still be easy to miss if you aren’t looking carefully. 

True to their name, carpet beetles love carpet—but not necessarily for the reasons you may assume. 

“Their diet consists of wool, silk, leather, fur, brushes with natural bristles, pet fur, and or feathers,” says Jerry Wang, a pest control expert and founder of DIYPestWarehouse. “The reason why we may see them around the carpet is because sometimes the vacuum cleaner may not get all of the fur from animals, and that is one way to attract carpet beetles to the area.” 

Carpet beetles will not eat synthetic fiber, and that's also the reason why you may see damage in different areas. Also, they prefer hanging out under rugs and carpets since they don’t like the light. 

Signs of Carpet Beetle Infestation 

Fortunately, signs of a carpet beetle infestation are pretty obvious. Here's what to look for.

The Bugs Themselves

Carpet beetles are small bugs with a marbled black, brown, and white pattern. Another type of carpet beetle is dark brown and black. 

Carpet Beetle Molting

Carpet beetles molt and leave behind empty skin casings. “It usually looks like the size of a grain of rice and is light brown,” Wang says. 

Damaged Fabrics

Because carpet beetles feed on natural fibers, they leave behind damage in their wake. Wang says, “If you see patches of fabric that seem to have holes missing, most likely, it's done by carpet beetles, especially if it's a rug or carpet.” 

How To Get Rid of Carpet Beetles: Step By Step  

Carpet beetles can be eliminated by a homeowner if the infestation is caught in its early stages, says Ben McAvoy, co-founder of Insectek Pest Solutions. This means that the infestation is isolated to a small area. Once you’ve confirmed the bugs are carpet beetles, follow these steps to get rid of them. 

Step 1: Vacuum the Affected Area(s) 

If the carpet beetles are affecting your carpet, vacuum the area thoroughly, McAvoy advises. You may need to do several passes in order to suck up all the carpet beetles. Pay special attention to cracks, crevices, and areas around baseboards where larvae and eggs might be hiding.

For non-carpet infestations, McAvoy says to “remove the source of the infestation, which could be drapery, upholstered furniture, or rugs.” Vacuum rugs outside, and wash salvageable drapes and furniture covers in hot water, making sure to follow on-label care instructions. 

Items that have notable damage are best discarded; place them in a large trash bag and seal tightly before tossing in the outside bin. Also make sure to remove your vacuum bag and discard immediately. 

Step 2: Steam Clean 

Wang strongly recommends steam cleaning all affected surfaces, as well. “The heat from the steam will eliminate the larvae and eggs that may be in the carpet,” he says. Also steam clean upholstery, drapes, and rugs after cleaning them. If you don’t own a steam cleaner, you may be able to rent one from a local hardware or home improvement store. 

Step 3: Apply an Insecticide 

To ensure you’ve killed all the carpet beetles and larvae, apply an insecticide that targets carpet beetles. Apply and remove as directed to the affected areas, paying attention to dark corners and crevices where they may be hiding. 

Step 4: Watch for Signs of Their Return 

For the next several weeks, keep an eye on both affected and non-affected areas to ensure the bugs haven’t returned or that eggs haven’t hatched. Carpet beetle larvae usually incubate for 10 to 20 days before hatching, so it’s possible you could have another infestation several weeks after your clean up. 

Natural Remedy to Remove Carpet Beetles

Not digging the idea of a chemical-y insecticide? You can also sprinkle a substance called diatomaceous earth onto the affected areas. This is a fine and powdery natural substance that cuts up the carpet beetles and dehydrates them. 

Note that it’s quite messy and needs a few days to work before vacuuming up, so you may need to close the doors to the affected rooms or spend a few days away from your home. Wear protective gear and be prepared for a larger cleanup. (This is also an effective remedy for bed bugs!) 

When to Hire Professional Exterminators 

So when should you call in the pros? Wang says, “If a homeowner is seeing carpet beetle damage in various parts of the home, then that is usually the time to hire professional help.” 

This signals that the carpet beetles have migrated to various parts of your home and likely means there are larvae in areas you might not have even realized! You should also hire a professional if you’ve tried all the steps above and the beetles aren’t gone, or if they’ve come back. 

How To Prevent Carpet Beetles 

Once you successfully get rid of carpet beetles, take these preventive measures to ensure they don’t come back. Also follow these steps if you’ve (fortunately) never experienced an infestation and want to keep it that way. 

Vacuum Often

“One of the best ways to prevent carpet beetles is to vacuum the surfaces regularly,” says Wang. Also make sure to clean and vacuum drapes, rugs, and furniture. 

Seal Entry Points

Carpet beetles are outdoor bugs that find their way indoors. “A great prevention method is to seal off entry points like doors and windows around the home,” McAvoy advises.

Carefully Store Fabrics

Store clothing and linens in airtight containers or garment bags to prevent future infestations.

Trim Trees and Bushes

McAvoy also recommends trimming trees and bushes so that they are not touching the exterior walls of your home. This makes access to your home more difficult for the bugs.