When most people think about household pests, they picture buzzing fruit flies or sneaky ants. There’s another sneaky invader that can cause lasting damage to your home: the carpet beetle. Carpet beetles are tiny and can go unnoticed until you spot a trail of chewed fabrics and itchy skin reactions.

We’re here to break down the tell-tale signs of carpet beetles, what causes them, and how you can prevent them from intruding on your personal space.

What Are Carpet Beetles?

Carpet beetles are small, oval-shaped insects that feed on natural fibers and animal byproducts. They’re notorious for damaging carpets, clothing, upholstered furniture, and even stored food. The black carpet beetle is one of the most common species in the US, but several types can show up uninvited.

Many homeowners first spot carpet beetle larvae, fuzzy, worm-like creatures, that do the bulk of the damage by feeding on fabrics. Carpet beetle larvae hatch from tiny carpet beetle eggs, which are typically tucked away in dark corners, under furniture, or in closets near clothing or linens.

How to Identify Carpet Beetles

Adults are attracted to light and may be seen near windows. Adult beetles are typically 1/8-3/16 inches long (about the same size as a small ant). They are often solid black or dark brown with a hard exterior shell that is covered with tiny hairs. Depending on the species, they sometimes have spotted white/yellow/orange patterns.

Beetle larvae are elongated, fuzzy, and brownish. Larvae tend to hide in dark, undisturbed places like closets, baseboards, or under rugs.

Signs of Carpet Beetles

You may not notice the beetles themselves right away, but the evidence they leave behind is hard to ignore. Here are the most common red flags of carpet beetle infestation:

• Carpet beetle damage such as irregular holes in rugs, curtains, or wool clothing.
• Thin, papery skins from carpet beetle larvae.
• Small, white carpet beetle eggs tucked in furniture cracks or fabric folds.
• Tiny beetles crawling or flying near windows (yes, carpet beetles do fly).
• Itchy welts or carpet beetle rash on your skin. This is often mistaken for carpet beetle bites. Carpet beetles don’t bite humans, but their coarse hairs can cause irritation and allergic reactions.

Differentiating Carpet Beetles from Bed Bugs

Because carpet beetles and bed bugs both infest homes and hide in fabrics, they can be mistaken for each other. If you’re curious about how to identify carpet beetle vs., bed bug infestations, here’s the scoop: bed bugs bite and feed on blood, while carpet beetles don’t bite and feed on fabric. Bed bugs are reddish brown while carpet beetles often have mottled patterns and hairs on their exterior. A clear distinction is flight. Adult carpet beetles can fly, and bed bugs cannot. Due to their size and oval shape, it can be easy to confuse the two invaders, so knowing the difference is critical for proper in-home treatment.

Read more: The Difference Between Flea and Bed Bug Bites

What Causes Carpet Beetles?

So, how do carpet beetles get inside? Carpet beetle infestations are usually caused by easy entry points and access to food sources. These pests can’t resist:

• Natural fibers, like wool, silk, and leather.
• Dust, pet hair, and lint.
• Stored grains or pantry items (such as flour).
• Open doors and windows.

Along with natural fibers, carpet beetles feed on nectar and pollen. They commonly accidentally enter homes when carried inside on cut flowers or hidden in second-hand clothing. Once inside, a full carpet beetle infestation can start quickly. Female carpet beetles can lay more than 100 eggs at a time!

How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles

If you spot carpet beetles inside, try these methods to get rid of them:

• Vacuum carpets and furniture frequently to remove carpet beetle eggs, larvae, and adult beetles.
• Immediately wash potentially infested clothing and linens in hot water.
• Place sticky carpet beetle traps near windows or dark corners to monitor activity. Sticky fly traps will work.
• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in infested areas and along windows.

Are Carpet Beetles Harmful?

A primary concern of homeowners battling infestation is whether carpet beetles are harmful. While they don’t spread diseases like mosquitoes or ticks, or leave bites like bed bugs, carpet beetles can cause a plethora of problems including costly damage to rugs, furniture, and clothing. Accidentally contacting the small hairs on their body can also cause itchy skin irritation that resembles a rash. A carpet beetle infestation can also cause overall stress and frustration as they are small and can quickly take over many spaces in your home.

So, while carpet beetles aren’t dangerous in the same way bloodsucking pests are, they’re not guests you want to host.

Carpet Beetle Prevention Tips

The best defense is a good offense. Here are smart carpet beetle control strategies to keep carpet beetles away:

• Seal cracks, gaps, and potential entry points around your home.
• Store clothes and linens in airtight containers, especially if they’re made of natural fibers.
• Reduce food sources by cleaning up pet hair, lint, and crumbs regularly.
• Keep windows and doors closed or screened to deter flying beetles.
• Get a professional barrier treatment spray from your local Squad.
• Use outdoor perimeter treatments to block them from ever stepping outside.

How Mosquito Squad^® Plus Shields Your Home

Services from Mosquito Squad Plus® create a barrier around your home to stop unwanted pests before they get inside. Our treatments focus on the exterior, targeting entry points and problem areas where carpet beetles and other insects are most likely to linger or try to get inside. Offering both traditional spray services and natural treatment options, each service helps to kill pests on contact and provides ongoing protection.

Our trained professionals will walk your property, identify areas of concern, and apply a tailored solution designed to keep pests at bay. With routinely scheduled treatments, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your home is defended against carpet beetles, mosquitoes, and more.

Discover how your local Mosquito Squad^® can help safeguard your home when you call (877) 332-2239 or request a cost-free quote online today.