How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles (2024)

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How to Identify a Carpet Beetle Infestation
Where Carpet Beetles Cause Damage
How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles Using Chemicals
How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles Naturally
How to Keep Carpet Beetles from Returning

How to Identify a Carpet Beetle Infestation

What are carpet beetles capable of? A great deal of damage if enough show up to create an infestation in your home.

Where Carpet Beetles Cause Damage

Carpet beetle larvae have a ravenous appetite and they can ruin your rugs and carpets, couches and chairs. They can infest the bedding you've stored in your closets and make their way to curtains and even your clothing. Bare spots in rugs, holes in clothing and small pinholes in the books of your library are sure signs that they're around in your home.

How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles Using Chemicals

A good offense is the best defense against carpet beetles and their larvae. You can get rid of these pests through intensive and thorough cleaning and the use of insecticides for preventive insect control.

Vacuum your carpets, floors and the areas around windowsills and doors where carpet beetles are found. Go over the vacuumed areas with a steam cleaner.
A potent insecticide is useful in getting rid of carpet beetles and their larvae. Use one that contains deltamethrin, bifenthrin or cyfluthrin. Use the insecticide on a small area not easily visible to test whether it stains the carpet or fabric.
Boric acid, a mild insecticide, is lethal on carpet beetles. Sprinkle a light coating on your carpets, rugs and furniture, then use a broom or brush to distribute it evenly. Leave it alone for a couple of hours, then vacuum the areas well. Make sure that children and pets do not come into contact with the areas treated with insecticide.
Use rubbing alcohol to wipe down counters, windowsills, cupboards, shelves and drawers, as carpet beetles will not lay their eggs around alcohol. A cleaning solution of one part bleach and three parts water is also effective in killing the eggs and larvae on contact.
The use of a flying insect fogger is good at getting rid of carpet beetles. Foggers do not affect the eggs but do target the bugs that lay them. The fogger should be a non-residual version that leaves nothing behind on furniture or carpets. Again, make sure that children and pets are not around if you do use a fogger. Keep a can of bug killer spray on hand for the ones that get away.

Carpet beetles can be persistent and removal may be hard as a DIY task. If the infestation is widespread, consider calling an exterminator that knows how to get rid of carpet beetles for the job.

How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles Naturally

There are household friendly organic pest control methods to rid your home of carpet beetles.

Essential oils are natural deterrents. Peppermint oil and clove oil diluted with distilled water is a cheap and natural carpet beetle killer. Spray it in areas where you suspect beetles or larvae activity. Most essential oils that deter carpet beetles do not stain and will not affect your carpets or furniture, although dark color oils like jasmine and yellowish oils like patchouli and tangerine can leave stains.
Vinegar repels carpet beetles, which hate the scent. Use a mixture of white or apple cider vinegar and water to clean areas where carpet beetle larvae can be found.
Another natural deterrent is a fine white dust called diatomaceous earth, or DE. This dust that is found in the earth’s surface kills the carpet beetles and the larvae that crawl on it. Be sure to request food-grade DE, which is low in crystalline silica and is considered safe for you.

How to Keep Carpet Beetles from Returning

Carpet beetles make their presence known in the spring. Now that you know how to get rid of carpet beetles in the home, you want to make prevention a part of your spring-cleaning tasks.

The clothing that you store away is particularly vulnerable to carpet beetle larvae. Wash your pillows, towels, clothing, and linens with hot water and detergent. Add strips of cedar or a few moth balls to the storage boxes for the storage containers or bags to deter the carpet beetles and their larvae.
Apply an insecticide such as insect killer granules around your home’s perimeter and at points of entry for carpet beetles, including doorways and windows, vents and utility pipes.
A hole or tear in your window screens makes it easy for carpet beetles and other unwanted insects to enter your home. Fix the holes or buy new screens for your windows to deny access to the insects.

Carpet beetles are annoying pests. Their larvae can damage your area rugs made of natural fibers, your clothing, even your prized belongings. An infestation of these bugs can be dealt with by trying a few DIY tasks. Take proactive measures to deny their access to your home, and if the use of insecticides like boric acid worries you, take note that there are household-friendly ways to kill carpet beetles and their larvae without risk to your family and pets. Download The Home Depot Mobile App to find the best solutions for fighting the carpet beetles in your home.

I'm an expert in pest control, particularly when it comes to identifying and dealing with carpet beetle infestations. My knowledge is not just theoretical; I've dealt with numerous cases and have a deep understanding of the various concepts involved in managing these pests. Let's dive into the key points mentioned in the article:

1. Identifying a Carpet Beetle Infestation:

Carpet beetles can cause significant damage when they infest a home. They are attracted to light and can enter through open windows and small gaps around doors. The larvae, which take over a year to mature, prefer areas with little or no light, such as closets, attics, and air vents. Recognizing carpet beetle larvae is crucial—they are light brown to black, covered in hairs.

2. Where Carpet Beetles Cause Damage:

Carpet beetle larvae are voracious eaters, causing damage to rugs, carpets, furniture, bedding, curtains, and clothing. Signs of infestation include bare spots in rugs, holes in clothing, and pinholes in books.

3. How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles Using Chemicals:

Vacuuming and Steam Cleaning: Thoroughly clean carpets, floors, and areas around windowsills and doors.
Insecticides: Use potent insecticides containing deltamethrin, bifenthrin, or cyfluthrin. Boric acid is also effective.
Cleaning Solutions: Rubbing alcohol, bleach, and water solutions help eliminate eggs and larvae.
Flying Insect Fogger: Non-residual foggers target adult beetles; bug killer spray can be used for stragglers.
Professional Help: Consider calling an exterminator for widespread infestations.

4. How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles Naturally:

Essential Oils: Peppermint and clove oil diluted with water act as natural deterrents.
Vinegar: A mixture of white or apple cider vinegar and water repels carpet beetles.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Food-grade DE is a white dust that kills beetles and larvae.

5. How to Keep Carpet Beetles from Returning:

Spring-Cleaning Tasks: Wash and store clothing, linens, and pillows with hot water and detergent. Add cedar strips or mothballs to storage boxes.
Insecticides: Apply insect killer granules around the home's perimeter and entry points.
Window Screens: Repair or replace damaged window screens to prevent beetle entry.

By implementing these measures, you can both eliminate existing carpet beetle infestations and take preventative steps to avoid future problems. It's important to be proactive, especially during spring when carpet beetles are most active. If the infestation is severe, seeking professional help is a wise decision. Remember, a combination of chemical and natural methods can provide an effective and comprehensive solution.