How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles

January 28th, 2009 Posted in Beetles & Ladybugs, Pantry & Linen Pests



Carpet Beetles like to make appearances inside your home, mainly on your carpet (obviously) and also on clothes and furniture.  Some have even been known to get into your food.  Although they form outside, their small size makes it easy to take up residence in your home.  They don’t sting, bite or carry disease. But that doesn’t mean they don’t cause damage: from larvae to adult, Carpet Beetles are a growing problem that require a safe, efficient solution.


This article will explain:

  • Identifying Carpet Beetles

  • Larvae vs. Adult

  • Dealing with Infestation


Identification

In nature, Carpet Beetles  plant themselves in nests of birds and rodents. But they are a fairly common pest in the home as well as businesses.  Although you may not spot them right away, they can leave a trail of evidence as to their presence.  Damaged carpeting, clothing, and also damage to your pet’s fur may be an indication that you have Carpet Beetles lurking in your home.  And how did they get there?  Carpet Beetles can enter your home through open windows and doors, tiny cracks, and even attach themselves to your clothing.  Once inside, they avoid light, and go to work munching on your favorite sweater. But they’ll venture almost anwhere in your home for items cotaining natural animal fibers such as wool, lint, silk, dust, bristles, and feathers.  As your cat or dog sheds, this hair often clumps together in corners or around edges and it makes a tasty meal for the critters. 


Carpet Beetle Larvae



An adult female measuring up to 1/4 inch can lay up to 100 eggs that hatch in a period of two weeks.  Unlike the black, oblong adult beetle, larvae are furry, and are cloaked in brown and white stripes. Carpet Beetles go through an entire cycle of metamorphosis that begins with an egg, which then hatches into the crawling larvae.  From there it enters the cocoon stage (pupation) in order to become an adult beetle.  But it is in the larval state in which they cause the most damage. Even though they are less than 3/8 of an inch long, it is not uncommon to see a larvae in your home- they are big wanderers.  Other times, you will see the cast of their skin, as they undergo a process similar to molting in order to mature to a stage where fabric and hair become their food source. One place where you won’t see these guys: anywhere near cedar.  Ever wonder why your mom insists on storing your baby clothes in a cedar chest?  Well, she’s a smart lady- cedar gives off a vapor that is toxic to Carpet Beetle Larvae.  Unfortunately, after 3 years, the vapors diminish and they are free to once again chow down on your clothes.


Adult Carpet Beetles

Different types of the adult insect include Black, Furniture, and Varied Carpet Beetles.  Once they reach the adult stage, all of these species become completely immune to cedar – bummer! They are often found near doors and windows, and not only breed outside, but inside your home as well.  They can fly from house to house, infesting as they please.  Also, the adults feed on certain plants such as daisies and asters, so if you or a neighbor have these outside of your homes, you have a possible source. 


Control

-There are a few ways in which to manage these bugs:

     

  • Bait them.  Pick up some fly paper at the store and coat it with one of their favorite meals like dog or cat hair.

  • Cedar.  Larvae don’t stand a chance and you’ll protect those precious clothes. And after 3 years, use cedar chips in storage to replenish that vapor.

  • Hot & Cold.  Storing susceptible items at a temperature below 40 degrees prevents infestation, as well as exposing them to extreme heat.  Let your clothes lie in direct sun rays for a few hours – the Carpet Beetles will scatter.

  • Clean House.  Proper house-keeping is a big help: vacuum, dust and keep surfaces as clean as you can to prevent beetles from setting up shop.

 
-If these remedies prove ineffective, people often turn to pesticides.  They put them in cracks and crevices, or anywhere else a beetle can be:
 
  Moth Balls.  Yep, we’ve all smelled them – sometimes when hugging dear grandma.  They are quite common, but their ingredients are known to be carcinogenic.

  Sprays.  Bayer Advanced Home spray and others contain active ingredients like cyfluthrin, a chemical compound of pyrethroids, which when exposed, can cause numbness, nausea and even seizures.
 
  EcoSMART is the best solution for carpet beetle infestation.  It’s ORGANIC, which means it’s 100% natural- no chemical compounds here.  But don’t let that fool you into thinking it won’t work – EcoSMART’s organic pesticides will kill those beetles without effecting the health of your family.


Alyse Popp




organic pest control


  1. 50 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!

  2. By Jenna Marvin on Aug 29, 2009

    Will this product work for spraying around floorboards. I don’t have carpet. The carpet beetle larvae may be from a brand new sofa I bought at IKEA. There were not beetles, then a few weeks after puting the sofa in my house, I suddenly have tons of larvae crawling all over my concrete floors and walls.

  3. By Rosemary Rosales on Sep 5, 2009

    Help! I have tons of carpet beetles. My husband and I collect about 50+ every night.
    We have been vaccuming and dusting every day but it is not helping. We think it started from some flowers that my children decided to cut and bring into the home for me.
    Because I have 2 small children, I am worried about what I use to get rid of these pests. Would love to try this product.

  4. By Amy on Sep 21, 2009

    As long as it is safe to use around pets, I would love to give this product a try. Been having problems with these for a long time and just recently identified them.

  5. By Melissa on Sep 29, 2009

    I have 3 young children (all under the age of 5) and I am due to deliver my 4th in a month. I have an infestation of carpet beetles and I am going crazy! I hate bugs and I am have a total melt down dealing with this. I have all the closets all torn apart and have been vacuuming every day. But I still see larva. I want to know how this product kills… does it take care of the eggs or the larva or the adult. I just want this situation to go away!

  6. By Stacey on Oct 6, 2009

    I’ve tried everything short of chemicals to get rid of these bugs. I clean like crazy and have tried a different brand of organic insecticide. It may have helped but I still have them. I have a two year old and I’m trying everything to avoid using harsh chemical insecticides.

  7. By Karolyn Kometz on Oct 9, 2009

    I had someone come out and spray for my carpet beetles in the fall about 2 years ago and I was so sad to see them come back last year and I am already seeing them again this year. I was in denial last year that it was a problem again but I kept hoping I would stop seeing them. When he sprayed before my daughter was not walking and we had to cover the carpets for a month and now that she is 3 I am really concerned about using chemicals around her but these larvae are creeping me out and I have found them in her room and even under my bed twice!!! YUCK!! Please I would love to try your product!!

  8. By Carolina on Oct 16, 2009

    I just found carpet beetles in my closet, and I think they ate fur in one coat. Then I found a lot more in the basement in a flour bag. I’m doing deep cleaning of all the food and grains, but I’m concernd they’ll be back if they got between the walls to get to my bedroom. Will the “home pest control spray” be a solution to this pest problem? I’ll love to try it since I’m so concerned about pesticides all over my house because I have to small kids.

  9. By reva skie on Oct 23, 2009

    Gross, I never knew these existed. Yuk, I lay on the carpet all the time.

  10. By Donna on Oct 23, 2009

    I have occasionally seen these around my home, except I had no idea what they were for the longest time. This article is very informative and helpful. I would have never thought that there might be a connection between the larvae and the actual beetle. Thank you for the information!!

  11. By Bronwyn on Oct 23, 2009

    I’m going nuts over these darn things. It’s the most stressed out I’ve been in a long time!!! We had someone come and spray our house, then a few days later, I’m finding them again. I’ve thrown away a ton of stuff, washed a million loads of clothes and blankets… I don’t know what else to do!! I know they aren’t in my bed, but I haven’t slept in my bed in a few weeks. Help!!

  12. By Mary Marlow on Oct 25, 2009

    Wow! I might be saved! These little bugs have been living in our dining room and kitchen for a long time. When I took a few to the ‘bug-man’ he told me what they were and the only way to get rid of them, of course, was a strong and dangerous poison. We have been cleaning all they time. They were even in the cabinet by the dishwasher. Behind the dishwasher-who knows? Every other place has cleaned been out. It is their final strong hold, I’m sure. I just used hot soapy water. They still come around to visit. The signs are there. I really do not want to move the dishwasher until I have a solution. They probably have a highly fortified castle back there. I will not do it alone. I would love to try your product. If I am one of the first 1,000 please send it as soon as possible. I want to know what is going on behind the dishwasher. The thought of chemicals just does not do it for me. Hot soapy water is not cutting it either. We may have lost a few battles, but we will wil the war!

  13. By Mary Marlow on Oct 25, 2009

    I have not toticed too many hornets, but an abundance of wasps. Again, we do not know where the nest is. We do have a general idea. Hopefully, I can find someone to climb the ladder and check out the area. If you have a safe product that works. Yes, I would love to be a tester. I live ‘more or less’ in the woods. All kinds of strange bugs and creatures come to my house. Thank you

  14. By Mary Marlow on Oct 25, 2009

    Do not have them

  15. By Mary Marlow on Oct 25, 2009

    We do not have a problem with hornets. Just the wasps.

  16. By Mary Marlow on Oct 25, 2009

    We have not noticed many hornets but a lot of wasps. The location of the nest is still unkonow, but the genreal location has been found.

  17. By Chris Wesselman on Oct 27, 2009

    I had no idea what these little bugs were until I called Terminix, since I already have bait traps set around my house for termites. I’m already paying a fortune for this treatment. Then, I get these little bugs and didn’t know what they were. Terminix came to my home and said, “these are carpet beetles.” Terminix tried to have me signup for Pest Control, which came out to be about $420 bucks! I said, “no thank you.” These carpet beetles are in my bedroom and most were under the bed. They are all over the carpet and need to stop them from spreading throughout the entire home. I have been reading so much on this and would love to try your product. Thank you.

  18. By cary lynn on Oct 29, 2009

    I have 3 little ones, including a 5 month old that is attempting to crawl. I have had carpet beetles in a previous home that I believe came in a used sofa. When we bought our new house I thought we had rid ourselves of the problem, but they followed us in our winter clothes and I believe our beds! We now have a problem with 2 separate pantry-like beetles, except that they are not in our pantry! I have found them in both bathrooms, under our stove, in the entry way and he worse place.. the nursery!! would love to know if this product would work on those as well as the carpet beetles!

  19. By Tavia Evinger on Oct 29, 2009

    Please help me. I believe we have an infestation due to too much stuff and too much dust being left under our furniture. We thoroughly cleaned out our room last night and found the carpet beetle worms and little larva around the edges of our mattress under our mattress pad. YUCK we slept on the couch. We still have to go through both of our childrens rooms and clean everything out. I already had our children put all of their stuffed toys in garbage bags and put them in the garage. I would very much love to try your bug killer as I am completely against using any chem. bug killer in or around our home.

  20. By Jennifer Johnson on Nov 1, 2009

    I just discovered lots of these larvae living in my carpet and under my bathroom floor. I’m afraid they’re going to find their way to my wool sweaters in my closet! I want to kill them, but I don’t want to poison my room (and myself) in the process. This product looks great — I would love to try it!

  21. By Meghan Linebaugh on Nov 5, 2009

    I am so glad I came across this site! I was researching on what type of bug was laying larvae under/behind my bed. I didnt even know what a carpet beatle was until now. I would love to get rid of these things and try your product!

  22. By Meghan Linebaugh on Nov 5, 2009

    I am so glad I came across this site! I have been researching what kind of bug has been laying larvae and larvae shells under and behind my bed. I didn’t even know what a carpet beetle was until now. I would love to try your product and get rid of these things!!

  23. By Jennifer Beaver on Nov 6, 2009

    I am so excited to have found your website. You are a ray of hope! I have been dealing with carpet beetles for the past year. I do not want to use harmful chemicals and need help desperately! I have found them on every floor of my house and I don’t even have carpeting. I first discovered mass amounts of the adults in my basement. With further investigation I found larvae shells on the painted block walls where dust had accumulated, behind the washer and dryer especially. They have since infiltrated the rest of the house. Making their way to my Merino wool sweater in the upstairs bedroom closet. I can’t wait to try your product!

  24. By Diana Geraghty on Nov 8, 2009

    We’re going through our closets right now and have found a bunch of carpet beetles and larvae. Gross! We’re hoping your product can help us get rid of them.

  25. By Jennifer on Nov 9, 2009

    I have discovered dead larvae all over a spare bedroom, as well as some alive in a chest full of blankets and some crawling on beds….help! I clean and do laundry constantly and they are still around…wherever there is carpet in our house (downstairs is wood flooring so none there). I am worried to try other products because I have a 2 year old and am expecting to give birth to our 2nd baby any day now….hopefully this product is our savior.

  26. By C.A. Evans on Nov 12, 2009

    Help! We have the little wormy things under my baby’s crib, in our son’s room & now in our girls’ room. I would love to be a product tester for you!!!!!

  27. By C Thomas on Nov 13, 2009

    After finding several of what now appears to be carpet beetle larvae, I have begun researching a safe way to rid my house of these pesky pests. I would be most happy to try your product.

  28. By Karen on Nov 14, 2009

    I live in a three-family house and have been discovering carpet beetle larvae lately. I always try and use natural products and would love to give this a try ASAP!

    Thank you!

  29. By Sara on Nov 15, 2009

    We purchased our home when it was only 2.5-years-old from dog owners. After researching about carpet beetle larvae, I’ve learned that dog hair is one of their favorite foods. After paying over $400 for someone to professionally clean our carpets and purchasing my own carpet cleaner, I’m still finding 1-2 larvae daily. I would love to be an EcoSMART tester.

  30. By Gina on Nov 15, 2009

    Recently I began finding about 2 larvae a day. They’ve even gotten into my cedar chest and have put holes in my sweaters. It’s totally grossing me out–I hate bugs–but I don’t want to use chemicals. I’d love to try an eco-friendly product to get rid of them.

  31. By Cody B on Nov 15, 2009

    Thanks for writing this. I have been searching google for a month now trying to figure out what they were. I haven’t found any beetles yet but the larvae I find under my bed and on my walls. I might have to try some of this spray if the fly trap trick doesn’t work. One odd thing is I find them only in my room and our cat dosnt go in there and there are no clothes under it. I first found them in my PSP(gaming system)Case, along with something whitish that wasn’t there the last time I used it. What do their eggs look like?

  32. By cindy on Nov 16, 2009

    I have these creepy bugs in my closet and have found them on my clothes. Please help me get RID of them. I would love to be a product tester!!!

  33. By mike S on Nov 17, 2009

    I just found a ton of of carpet beetles for the second time. Now I know what they are and since I have small children and pets I want a safe solution vs. using harsh chemicals in my house and on my clothes. I would like to try your product.
    Thanks!

  34. By Katherine on Dec 2, 2009

    I have a major carpet beetle problem. They are everywhere…on my couch, behind my bed, in closets…I don’t even have carpeting in my house!!! I have two little babies who are constantly crawling on the floor in a small house. I have no time to drag everything out and clean anything. What can I do to destroy and put a stop to the infestation once and for all? Please help…I’m desperate!

  35. By Julie on Dec 11, 2009

    We have carpet beetle! First I thought it was just the upstairs hall but it is everywhere. We have lots of bare patches in our wool carpets. They are driving me crazy! I would love to be a tester for you.

  36. By K..T. on Jan 8, 2010

    For the past couple months I have found carpet beetle larvae on the walls in my room. I have no carpet or wool/fur clothing and I just cleaned everything. I vacuumed and washed every article of clothing. They were gone for a week but I just found another on my wall. I would like to be a product tester!

  37. By R.T. on Jan 22, 2010

    I noticed these bugs on my walls a few months ago but never really knew what they were until recently. I have tried everything vaccuming, washing with hot water, borax, steam cleaning…nothing is working. I would love to try this product.

  38. By jenny on Jan 25, 2010

    August 09 this all started and 6 months later i’m about to take the photo’s and burn the house down! I’ve had that much pest poison sprayed here i shouldn’t be alive or living here and really don’t know what next I do belive they have been having a party in the roof void for years with the wool insulation and now have moved into the rest of the house so i’m about to move out

  39. By Nancy on Feb 5, 2010

    Since the people who lived in our house before us were absolute pigs (there were dead mice and roaches in kitchen cabinets and appliances), we had an exterminator treat the house before we moved in 4 years ago. We also had the place treated for termites, which were very well established in the house. However, before long, I began noticing disgusting, brown, furry larvae along the floors, baseboards, and sometimes even bedspreads in the house. I can’t begin to tell you how much vacuuming, bleaching, cleaning I’ve been doing since then and the disgusting little things kept coming. Can you imagine a woman who is 41 weeks pregnant on her hands and knees trying to clean under baseboards with a toothbrush?–that was me. I don’t know if they’re coming from my garden (I noticed the adult beetles on my windowsills facing the backyard) or from dead mice still in the walls (we recently remodeled our whole basement and found dead mice in the walls, I can’t even begin to imagine what there might be in the upper floor or attic). I always dryclean and store non-seasonal clothing in airtight bags with lavendar packets in rubbermaid totes. This winter, I have put on multiple nice woolen sweaters, just to notice hole after hole in them at work. I can’t take it anymore. I have had fantasies about burning down my house to kill them, but the thing that stops me is that our house is semi-attached and I don’t want the family next door to become homeless. Please help! I am going out of my mind, and I have two small kids under 3 yo that I do not want to poison in the process.

  40. By EcoSMART Megan on Feb 8, 2010

    Nancy,

    Wow, you have had some tough times at this place and I’m really sorry about that.

    EcoSMART sells value bundles that target inside the house, your garden, etc. I think the best one for you would be the Safe Home Value Bundle. It has products for flying insects, ants and roaches and any other a home pest control spray that can be used inside and outside.

    Good luck!

  41. By whitney breeding on Feb 16, 2010

    Didn’t know what these were forever until now…

  42. By Karin on Feb 19, 2010

    Is the testing promotion still going on? I’d love to participate. One of our rooms is infested and cleaning doesn’t seem to help, just spreads them around the house! need help… thanks!!

  43. By Katie on Feb 25, 2010

    I’d seen a couple of beetles at my 2nd apartment, but last summer we had a major infestation in our apartment. i found tons of larva when i dropped a bag of spaghetti on the floor, i didn’t eat in the house for weeks. tried everything to get rid of these suckers. my land lord didn’t believe me and told me it was my fault they were in my apartment. anyways. i moved away from that place and in the last few weeks i’ve found 5 carpet beetles. two in my bedroom, 1 in the bath, 1 in the kitchen and 1 in the dining room. They’re everywhere! bugs creep me out, but last summer when i found the larva i was so stressed out i got shingles. i don’t want to go through that again.

  44. By Emily Long on Feb 27, 2010

    I would LOVE to try your product! I have had carpet beetles since I was a kid and now I am 34. They didn’t seem to be a huge problem until Jan ‘10. I have a 3 year old and a 7 month old about to start crawling. I have thrown away 3 trash bags full of infected clothes just today and still have more to go. I have seen them in the bedrooms and bathrooms and they have moved downstairs into the living room. I desperately want to get rid of these now that I know what they are. Thank you!

  45. By EcoSMART Megan on Mar 1, 2010

    Dear Katie,

    No need to stress. Try EcoSMART’s Home Pest Control spray in your home.

    If your infestation is overwhelming, contact a professional who uses organic commercial pesticides to take care of the problem.

  46. By Lauren Morehouse on Mar 4, 2010

    We would love to try your product. We have a 3 mo old baby and am trying to stay away from hard chemicals. We found a ton of these little bugs all over our house.- Gross, Please help asap. Thanks!

  47. By Stephanie Januzys on Mar 4, 2010

    I would love to try this. I have a newborn baby, 4 year old, and 11 year old. I have been seeing these in my living room. Never had these before and looking at ways to get rid of them. I am afraid to let the kids play in the floor, especially the baby. I tried to lay her playmat in the floor the other day and saw a few crawling on it after I just vacuumed. Not doing that again. Please send some.

  48. By T on Mar 8, 2010

    Got the varied type. Can’t get rid of them, but trying by hiding the food clothing made of material they like. Let the testing begin.

  49. By Nathan on Mar 9, 2010

    We have carpet beatles in our couch. My wife is wanting to throw it in the dumpster, but I am convinced they are everywhere. We would love to test your product and fix this problem.

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  2. May 20, 2009: How to Get Rid of Hornets | Organic Insecticides by EcoSMART
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50 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers! (details)