How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles

Carpet beetles can enter your home in a variety of ways. Some of the most common are traveling inside on cut flowers, clothing, and even hitching a ride on your pets. Once indoors, carpet beetles will settle in some soft area of the home, most often carpet and rugs, but they can also take up residence in curtains, upholstery and even clothing in your closet. Keep ready to learn how to get rid of carpet beetles that sneak their way into your home!

Adult carpet beetles prefer nectar and don’t do much damage to carpets and other fabrics in your home other than being a nuisance. The damage comes when these troublesome beetles lay their eggs. These eggs will often be laid in carpet, rugs, or upholstery. The larvae will leave a trail of destruction behind as they consume everything in their path, including your home’s carpet. The destruction often takes place in dark areas like behind baseboards and in closets, going unnoticed until the damage is significant.

Identify a Carpet Beetle Infestation

Many homeowners do not realize that they have a carpet beetle infestation until they see significant damage. This is often bare spots in rugs, holes in carpets, and clothing with suspicious holes. Carpet beetles thrive in the areas in your home that most often collect dust and cobwebs, so some hearty cleaning can help to identify the problem sooner rather than later.

Carpet beetles can often be found around the windows or doors of your home, congregating in groups. These innocuous-looking beetles are typically oval-shaped and approximately 1/8” long. They vary in color and patterns, dependent on their species and maturity. Chances are if you have found a suspicious-looking group of beetles in your home, they are laying eggs in your carpet or other home upholstery.

How to Eliminate Carpet Beetles

There are plenty of DIY options to eliminate carpet beetles from your home. You can bring a halt to larvae on your carpet or upholstery using an insecticide. Test this chemical on a small area first to ensure that it does not stain or discolor the carpet or fabric. You should also follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding humans and pets, as many of these products are toxic to people.

Boric acid is another tool to rid your home of carpet beetles. Found at the pharmacy, sprinkle the powder on the carpet and brush it into the fibers. After several hours, you can vacuum the area to remove the boric acid and any carpet beetle larvae.

Just like with any insect infestation in your home, you can use an insect fogger to rid the home of any pests. This is a good way to target adult carpet beetles. When using a fogger, follow the instructions. You will most likely need to leave the home for a period of time during the treatment.

If you continue to be plagued by carpet beetles, you’ll need to hire an exterminator and have the house bombed. Then, call a professional carpet cleaner to clean the carpets afterward.

About Woodard Cleaning & Restoration

Woodard Cleaning & Restoration was founded in 1946 by Earl and Nancy Woodard. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Woodard services the greater metro area (Illinois, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, St. Louis County, and many more). Woodard is proud to serve as the preferred provider for cleaning & restoration services. Our cleaning services include carpet, hard surface, furniture, and rug cleaning for both residential and commercial properties. We also provide water, fire, board-up, storm and smoke restoration services for residential and commercial clients. For information or questions submit a form online or call us at (314) 227-3932.

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Updated 3/15/2021