If you’ve noticed unexplained holes in your clothes, carpets, or upholstery, carpet beetles may be the culprits. These tiny pests often go unnoticed until real damage appears. Understanding what they are, how they get inside, and how to control them is the key to protecting your home.
In this guide, we’ll explain what carpet beetles look like, the signs of an infestation, and practical steps on how to get rid of carpet beetles. You’ll also learn simple prevention tips to stop them from coming back.
What Are Carpet Beetles and Where Do They Come From?
Carpet beetles are tiny, oval insects in the Dermestidae family, about 1/16 to 1/8 inch long, often with mottled colors. Outdoors, adults live harmlessly on pollen and nectar, but the larvae are the real pests. According to Wikipedia (Dermestidae), larvae are fuzzy, bristly, and able to digest keratin found in wool, leather, fur, and feathers.
The University of Kentucky Entomology notes that carpet beetle larvae hide in dark spots such as closets, under furniture, or inside ducts, quietly damaging fabrics. Adults can enter through doors, windows, flowers, or secondhand items and lay eggs on fabrics, which makes prevention and regular cleaning essential.
Signs You Have a Carpet Beetle Infestation
Carpet beetles are sneaky, but their traces give them away. Look for:
- Holes in fabrics: Uneven damage on wool, silk, or cotton clothing, carpets, or upholstery
- Shed skins:Bristly casings left by larvae, often near baseboards, closets, or under furniture
- Dead adults:Small beetles found near windows or light fixtures, since they’re drawn to light
Core Methods to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles can cause serious damage if left unchecked. Based on guidance from the University of Kentucky (ENTFACT-601) and UC Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and Ohio State University Extension (HYG-2103-10), here are the most effective methods to eliminate them:
1. Vacuum Thoroughly and Dispose Immediately
Vacuuming is one of the most effective first steps for removing carpet beetles, larvae, and eggs. Focus on cracks, baseboards, rugs, furniture seams, and dark corners where lint and pet hair collect — prime food sources for larvae.
Use attachments to reach beneath cushions and along carpet edges. Once finished, immediately empty the vacuum canister or discard the bag outdoors, as eggs and larvae can survive inside and crawl back out.
Continue vacuuming at least once a week until no activity is detected.
2. Hot Water Wash (Above 120°F / 49°C)
For clothing, bedding, curtains, and washable fabrics, laundering in hot water is a reliable way to kill all stages of carpet beetles.
The heat destroys eggs, larvae, and adults on contact. Use a high-temperature cycle (above 120°F / 49°C) and follow with a high-heat dryer setting for added assurance.
This approach is especially effective for infested linens, pet blankets, and wool-based garments stored for long periods.
3. Microwave Treatment
Smaller, non-metallic items, such as feather duster heads, cotton ornaments, or wool samples, can be treated using a microwave.
The rapid heat rise kills larvae within seconds, but caution is required: items must be microwave-safe and free from any metallic elements.
Test a small portion first to ensure the object won’t scorch or melt. This method is best reserved for minor infestations on compact objects rather than large fabrics or rugs.
4. Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning combines deep heat and moisture to penetrate thick fibers and upholstery where larvae hide. It’s particularly effective for carpets, cushions, and heavy drapes that cannot be machine washed.
The sustained heat kills all life stages of carpet beetles while also removing debris and residues they feed on.
Professional-grade steam cleaners offer the best results, but high-temperature home units can also work if used carefully and repeatedly over affected areas.
5. Freezing
Cold treatment is an alternative for delicate or heirloom textiles that can’t withstand heat or water.
According to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, freezing items at 0°F (–18°C) for at least one week or at –20°F (–29°C) for 72 hours will destroy eggs, larvae, and adults.
UC IPM further recommends maintaining temperatures below 18°F (–8°C) for about two weeks for full effectiveness. Place objects in sealed plastic bags before freezing to prevent moisture damage, and allow them to thaw slowly at room temperature afterward.
6. Oxygen Deprivation (Anoxic Treatment)
When objects are too fragile for heat or cold, such as museum textiles, taxidermy, or rare books, anoxic treatment offers a safe, non-destructive alternative. The process involves sealing items in airtight chambers and replacing oxygen with inert gases such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide.
Over several days to weeks, the lack of oxygen suffocates all life stages of carpet beetles. Because it requires specialized equipment and monitoring, anoxic treatment is usually carried out by conservation professionals or pest-control specialists experienced in artifact preservation.
Since regular vacuuming is the first step in controlling carpet beetles, a reliable vacuum makes this easier. Models like the eufy Omni S1 Pro offers powerful suction, auto-emptying, and obstacle avoidance, which helps keep carpets, edges, and hidden corners free of the lint and hair beetle larvae feed on.
Chemical & Natural Treatments to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles
Besides physical removal and heat or cold treatments, there are also chemical and natural treatment options. Chemical products should be used only as a last resort, and always with proper safety precautions and professional guidance.
1. Silica Aerogel (or Diatomaceous Earth Dusts)
Silica aerogel and diatomaceous earth (DE) are fine, natural dusts that kill carpet beetle larvae by drying out their waxy outer layers, leading to dehydration.
They are best applied in hard-to-reach areas where larvae hide, such as wall voids, attics, crawl spaces, and under baseboards.
Avoid using these dusts directly on clothing, bedding, or upholstered furniture, as they can be abrasive and difficult to remove.
Apply a light, even layer rather than heavy clumps, more is not better. Always wear gloves and a dust mask or respirator to prevent inhalation or skin irritation.
2. DDVP (Dichlorvos)
Dichlorvos, often abbreviated as DDVP, is a highly potent organophosphate insecticide that releases fumigant vapors to kill insects in enclosed spaces. While it can be effective against carpet beetles, it poses significant health risks and is regulated as a restricted-use pesticide.
In most jurisdictions, only certified pest control operators are authorized to apply DDVP legally and safely. Homeowners should never attempt to use DDVP themselves, as improper application can lead to dangerous exposure.
If professional evaluation determines that a DDVP treatment is necessary, ensure the space is properly sealed, vacated, and ventilated before reentry.
3. Other Household Remedies (Cedar Oil, Boric Acid, Vinegar, Baking Soda)
Natural deterrents like cedar oil, boric acid, and vinegar are often mentioned in home pest-control discussions, but their effectiveness against carpet beetles varies widely.
- Cedar oil and cedarwood blocks can help repel adult beetles, but they do not reliably kill larvae or eggs.
- Boric acid may have some insecticidal action when applied to cracks or carpet edges, yet results depend heavily on consistent contact.
- Vinegar, though useful for cleaning infested surfaces, primarily removes food residues rather than killing insects.
- Baking soda is often cited as a natural deterrent because beetles tend to avoid it, but it does not kill them. At best, it can help reduce odors and discourage activity when used alongside regular cleaning and vacuuming.
These remedies are best viewed as supplementary measures, supporting, not replacing, proven methods such as cleaning, heat, freezing, or professional treatments.
How to Prevent Future Carpet Beetle Infestations
Adult beetles often come from outside. To stop them:
- Seal cracks and crevices in walls, floors, and around windows.
- Install or repair door sweeps and window screens.
- Inspect cut flowers, secondhand furniture, or clothing before bringing them inside.
- Store woolens and off-season clothing in airtight containers or garment bags.
- In closets or storage boxes, consider using mothballs or other repellents to help protect fabrics.
Conclusion
Understanding how to get rid of carpet beetles is key to keeping your home clean and pest-free. With early detection, proper cleaning, and preventive steps, you can eliminate these bugs and stop them from returning. Don’t wait until the damage is severe—act quickly and stay consistent with your efforts. Follow these tips to protect your fabrics, furniture, and living space from future carpet beetle infestations.
FAQs
How can I look for hidden carpet beetles?
Use a flashlight and a thin tool—like a nail file—to check cracks, seams, and edges. Focus on areas such as:
- Under baseboards and inside air ducts
- Inside or beneath upholstered furniture
- Closets containing wool, fur, or stored fabrics
- Stuffed toys, piano felts, or taxidermy items
- Bird or rodent nests in attics or wall voids
- Old cereals, pet food, or other dry organic materials
What is the fastest way to get rid of carpet beetles?
The quickest approach is a deep clean combined with hot water washing. Start by vacuuming carpets, rugs, furniture, and closets thoroughly, then empty the vacuum outdoors right away. Wash infested fabrics in hot water (above 120°F / 49°C) to kill eggs and larvae. For delicate items, freezing works. Once cleaned, seal cracks and store clothing in airtight containers to stop new beetles from getting in.
Why do I suddenly have carpet beetles?
Carpet beetles can appear suddenly because adults fly in through open windows or doors, or hitch a ride on cut flowers, secondhand furniture, or clothing. They’re drawn to light, pollen, and hidden food sources like lint, pet hair, or natural fibers. Once indoors, they look for dark, undisturbed areas to lay eggs, so an infestation may develop quickly if conditions are right.
Does seeing a carpet beetle mean infestation?
Spotting a single adult beetle doesn’t always confirm an infestation — it may have wandered inside by accident, often ending up near windows or light fixtures. However, finding multiple beetles, larvae, shed skins, or unexplained holes in clothing and upholstery is a stronger warning. In that case, it’s important to inspect hidden areas, identify the source, and act quickly before damage becomes widespread.
