How To Get Rid of Carpet Beetles: Treatment For Killing Carpet Beetle Eggs

‘Carpet beetles’ is a name used to denote any of several species of tiny, disastrous beetles which wreak havoc to clothing, rugs, and carpets in the home, making it especially important to know how to get rid of carpet beetles before significant damage is done.

As an important part of the ecosystem, carpet beetles have their job to do, naturally, but inside your home can cause serious problems.

Understanding the options available for how to get rid of carpet beetles is the first step.

There are several treatments for addressing carpet beetles, and this article discusses the most effective treatments which can also kill carpet beetle eggs and larvae in the home.

How To Get Rid of Carpet Beetles: Pest Control for Carpet Beetles

There are many options for homeowners seeking pest control for carpet beetles.

A carpet beetle infestation is certainly more of an issue than a harmless ladybug infestation, and thus, elimination methods can be much more involved that methods for how to get rid of asian lady beetles. They are also very different from strategies for how to get rid of Japanese beetles which are outdoor rather than indoor pests.

As a destructive home pest, carpet beetles have been the subject of experimental pest treatments and remedies for decades, leading to some fairly creative ideas for how to get rid of carpet beetles. These ideas are explored in the following sections.

How To Kill Carpet Beetles: Traditional Methods

There are more than a few options for how to kill carpet beetles, and the surest way is by using an insecticide. Insecticides kill all life stages of the carpet beetle on contact, and insecticides containing deltamethrin, bifenthrin, and cyfluthrin are most effective against carpet beetles.⁶

While this is the most effective method, it is not the safest, as insecticides are harmful to the touch and very harmful if inhaled. Most people prefer to avoid resorting to insecticides inside their homes whenever possible.

A milder, more natural insecticidal option is boric acid. It can be sprinkled in dust form to deter carpet beetles or mixed with water to create a spray. Be aware that it can still be abrasive on contact and may cause discoloration to fabric.⁶

How To Eliminate Carpet Beetle Eggs and Carpet Beetle Larvae

Carpet beetle eggs are so tiny they are nearly invisible to the naked eye. While they may be hard to spot, they can still be vacuumed up fairly easily.

When an infestation is suspected, vacuum thoroughly, using the vacuum hose to get in hard-to-reach places and tight spaces where the eggs may be hiding. Launder any clothing, blankets, or curtains that may be infested.

Carpet beetle larvae are the real culprits, and while they can also be vacuumed up, it might be preferable to kill them first. The recommended method for eliminating carpet beetle larvae is with diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a safe method for indoor use, when applied properly (wearing a mask and gloves).

DE is a powder that acts as a drying agent when it comes in contact with beetle larvae. When sprinkled over and around affected areas, larvae will encounter the desiccant and become dehydrated, eventually causing them to die.¹¹

Remember to clean up the diatomaceous earth after use. Note that this product is reportedly very hard on vacuums with filters and those with bags. Most sources recommend using a shop vac to clean up the mess.¹

Moreover, if you are careful to apply food grade DE, then it is safe for pets and small children, making it a messy, but very eco-friendly option for how to get rid of carpet beetles.

How To Get Rid of Carpet Beetles in Cars

It is not just houses that are susceptible to carpet beetle infestations; cars can also fall prey to this troublesome pest. The synthetic material in the interior of cars does not appeal to carpet beetles, animal hair, and food debris in the seats and carpets.

Though it is much less likely for carpet beetles to set up camp in a vehicle, when this scenario does happen, it’s important to know how to get rid of carpet beetles in cars.

The best pest control for cars always begins with a good cleaning; in other words, vacuum the seats and carpets to remove the carpet beetle in all its life stages.

Plan to vacuum weekly or biweekly for a couple of months until no further signs of the beetles are noticed.

(Image: Laowisit, Khunkorn²⁰)

Pesticides should not be used inside a vehicle, but other home remedies such as baking soda or vinegar can be used to deter future carpet beetles.²

How To Get Rid of Carpet Beetles Naturally

There are also various options for how to get rid of carpet beetles naturally. Preferred methods likely depend on what the individual is comfortable with.

Methods like diatomaceous earth and boric acid are considered natural by many people, but that doesn’t mean that they are the right fit for every homeowner.

Some natural options that have been proposed by other homeowners include the use of vinegar spray on and around affected areas and common baking soda sprinkled around carpets and upholstered areas. These products can act as major deterrents for adult beetles and larvae.

The best method is always prevention, so ensure that cracks and crevices that allow entry to the home are sealed off, and check items such as fresh flowers, taxidermy displays, and used clothing/blankets before bringing them into the home. Vacuum regularly to help control the pest population.

Using sticky traps can be a great way how to get rid of beetles, as these can lure and trap adult beetles. If the access points for the beetles are sealed off, removing the adult beetles from the home is an important step to eliminating a carpet beetle infestation.

What Are Carpet Beetles (Carpet Bugs)?

Carpet beetles, sometimes referred to as carpet bugs, are very tiny beetles in the Dermestidae family which can become household pests that feed on natural fibers in the home and other indoor locations, such as museums and warehouses. Damage caused by carpet beetles is sometimes attributed to clothes moths.

In fact, it is not the adult carpet beetle that is problematic, since adults primarily feed outdoors on plants. It is the fuzzy grub-like larvae that hatch from eggs laid indoors near feeding sites that feed on clothing, carpets, and furniture.⁸

Carpet beetles commonly lay their eggs in wool or fur clothing, and sometimes even in tufts of animal fur in hidden places. They are not attracted to man-made fabrics.³

(Image: Kosolapova, Juli¹⁷)

The most common species of carpet beetle is Attagenus unicolor, a small, black beetle known as the ‘black carpet beetle.^10,13

Black carpet beetles are smaller and less rounded than other carpet beetle species with adults growing up to ⅛ inch long. Larvae are ½ inch long, slender, and brown with short, dark hairs.

(Image: Garifullina, Diliara¹⁸)

Other bothersome species in the United States include the:

• ‘Common carpet beetle’ (Anthrenus scrophulariae) – Approximately 3 mm long, rounded, tri-colored black, white, and orange to red, scale. Larvae are brown with dark hairs in their last stages.¹⁵

• ‘Furniture carpet beetle’ (Anthrenus flavipes) – Approximately 3 mm long and rounded with oval scales that are mottled yellow, black, and white. 5 mm larvae are tan with brown hairs. More common in Southern states.¹⁴

• ‘Varied carpet beetle’ (Anthrenus verbasci) – Approximately 2.5 mm long and oval. Long scales are brown, white, and black, creating wavy bands of color.¹⁶

Recognizing the Signs of Carpet Beetles and Carpet Beetles Infestation

It is not uncommon to spot a few carpet beetles inside the home on occasion, as these tiny insects are known to fly through open windows and doors. Finding a carpet beetle here and there does not mean there is an infestation in the home.

However, there are a few signs of carpet beetles and carpet beetle infestation that every homeowner should take note of and be on the lookout for.⁸

1. Hairy, grub-like, tan to brown larvae up to ½ inch long, usually in or around fabrics, fur, and so on.
2. 2. Large numbers of adult carpet beetles around window sills and entryways.
3. The shed or molted skin of the larvae (A single larva can molt several times before it is ready for pupation).
4. Small, black grains of excrement near fibers.
5. Trail-like holes or lines of damage (bare spots) in rugs, carpets, and other fabrics.

If any of these signs are present, it is time to take immediate action!

When To Call Exterminator for Carpet Beetles (Find an Exterminator for Carpet Beetles)

Exterminator prices for carpet beetles typically land around the $200 to $300 range, with a $250 average cost.

This cost may not be totally prohibitive for many people, but it is enough to make DIY treatment seem more appealing. Yet, it’s important for homeowners to recognize when to call exterminator for carpet beetles.

(Image: Arias, Laura¹⁹)

It may be relatively simple for homeowners to DIY a small and isolated carpet beetle infestation, but a serious and widespread infestation affecting multiple sites and rooms is probably a cause for seeking an exterminator for carpet beetles.

There are four species of carpet beetles commonly seen in the United States, and these tiny insects have been known to infest closets, eating away at natural fibers in clothing, particularly animal-based items such as felt and wool. Carpet beetle damage is often attributed to clothes moths, as carpet beetles are easily overlooked given their petite size.

Use this guide for ideas on how to get rid of carpet beetles before they cause damage to beloved items around the home.

Frequently Asked Questions About How To Get Rid of Carpet Beetles