If you ignore carpet beetles in the UK, then get ready to see holes in your expensive garments, rugs, curtains, and upholstered furniture.
The larvae of carpet beetles feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, and leather. They also shed tiny bristle-like hairs that can irritate the skin and respiratory tract.
However, you can prevent all those things with DIY methods. In this article, we'll discuss everything about carpet beetles. We'll show you what these pests are, their identification signs, and how to remove them from your house. Let’s have a look:
Part 1. What Are Carpet Beetles?
Department of Entomology mentions that carpet beetles are pests that mostly infest naturally made carpets. You can find them on many items that are made of wool, fur, felt, silk, feathers, and skins. It's because the larvae of carpet beetles can digest keratin from these materials.
The most common species in the UK are the varied carpet beetle and the furniture carpet beetle. Both species have adult beetles that are 1/16 to 1/8-inch in size and have an oval shape.
Their color may range from black to various patterns of white, yellow, brown, and orange. On the other hand, the larva is 1/8 to 1/4-inch long and has a tan to brownish color. They are heavily covered with hair and bristles.
Primarily, the larvae infest the edges and undersurfaces of rugs. You can also find them in wardrobes that are not used for a long time, in loft insulations, and under skirting boards with a lot of debris.
Part 2. Signs You Have a Carpet Beetle Infestation
You can easily identify carpet beetles by some visual and behavioral clues. Let's look at these signs of carpet beetle infestation in detail.
1. Visual Clues of Carpet Beetle Infestation:
You can expect a carpet beetle infestation when:
- There are thin, bald patches scattered over the carpets.
- You see clusters of holes in your clothes. You’ll notice holes, especially on pieces that have been stored in wardrobes for a long time.
- There are yellow-brown and seed-shaped larval shed skins near the holes in clothes.
- There are tiny black or brown pellets that resemble grains of salt. They are larval fecal pellets found near areas infested with them.
2. Behaviour Clues of Carpet Beetle Infestation:
You can also find carpet beetle infestation when:
- There are dead beetles on windowsills.
- You see beetles crawling on walls or windows. Adult beetles are attracted to light and feed on pollen from flowers.
- You see irritation or allergic rashes on your skin from contact with carpets. It results from contact with larval hairs left on fabrics.
Damages of Carpet Beetle vs Clothes Moth
If you notice damage on your clothes, you can distinguish it from carpet beetles and cloth moths by examining the pattern of the holes.
Carpet beetles create large, ragged holes or bald patches on carpets. On the other hand, the damage of clothes moths is characterized by fine holes and frayed threads.
The larvae of Carpet Beetles are also different from clothes moths. They are brownish‑to‑tan in color with bristles and an oval shape. The clothes moth larvae are cream-colored and hairless caterpillars.
Part 3. Are Carpet Beetles Dangerous?
Adult carpet beetles are not dangerous to humans. They don't spread disease or venom and just feed on plant pollen.
However, the larvae of carpet beetles can be very damaging to your property. They feed on natural fabrics. Once they infest a place:
- They make holes in your expensive rugs, sweaters, and furniture upholstery.
- They attack taxidermy mounts, leather-bound books, felt linings, and even piano felts.
- Species like varied carpet beetles can infest dry food storage and contaminate them.
If they do much damage, you may even need to replace your rugs. Even entry-level rugs cost £150-£500 in the UK.
The shedded bristles and hair of these larvae can also cause allergic reactions in human skin and the respiratory system.
Do Carpet Beetles Bite?
No, the adult carpet beetles do not bite. The rash people encounter when dealing with carpet beetles is actually a result of an allergic reaction.
The larvae of these beetles shed hairs and bristles that can cause allergic reactions in some humans.
Part 4. Where Do Carpet Bugs Come From?
Carpet beetles may enter your house by flying through open windows or by hitchhiking on second‑hand furniture. You may also get these beetles from cut flowers or thrifted clothes.
Since adult beetles feed on pollen from plants, they mostly enter a house in late spring or early summer. There are four adult key attractants for carpet beetles:
- Natural fibres.
- Lint/pet hair buildup.
- Insect/bird nests.
- Stored food.
The larvae of carpet beetles love to feed on these things, so they attract these bugs.
Part 5. How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles?
You can eliminate carpet beetles through deep cleaning of the house, high-temperature washing of infested fabrics, freezing for over 72 hours, or using insecticide sprays or chemicals for targeted treatment.
Tools Required
- Vacuum cleaner.
- Washing machine or freezer.
- Protective gloves and a mask.
- Boric acid / Diatomaceous earth / Silica dust (e.g., CiMexa).
- Insecticide spray (e.g., Deltamethrin or Cyfluthrin-based).
- Hand sprayer or nozzle attachment.
- Sealable plastic bags or storage bins.
General Step-by-Step Guide to Remove Carpet Beetles
- Vacuum Your House:
Vacuum all your rugs, carpets, or upholstery with robotic or upright vacuums. During this process, pay close attention to edges, corners, and under furniture. After every use, dispose of the vacuum bag to prevent beetles from escaping. You can also use the crevice tool attachments to cover corners effectively.
- Launder or Freeze the Infested Fabrics:
Wash infested fabrics in hot water. Ensure the temperature is at least 120°F (49 °C).
For stored items, place them in an oven at a temperature of over 120°F for at least 30 minutes. You can also freeze them at a temperature of 18°F or below for up to 2 weeks.
- Use Targeted Treatments:
Find out the exact location of carpet beetle infestation from signs like clusters of holes or fecal pellets. Use insect-killing materials such as boric acid, diatomaceous earth, or silica dust. Apply them carefully to these areas. Focus on cracks, crevices, baseboards, and hidden areas.
- Use Insecticide Sprays:
Use insecticide sprays suitable for carpets, such as deltamethrin or cyfluthrin. First, apply the spray to a hidden area of your carpet and see if it damages the fibres. Then use it thoroughly on the infested zones. When the area dries, apply insecticide dust to cover the cracks and crevices.
- Use UK‑Specific Products:
If the DIY solutions fail, you get special solutions from the supermarket, like the Rentokil Insectrol Carpet Beetle Killer Spray.
- Legal Notes:Always use HSE‑approved insecticides and follow disposal regulations.
By following some of these steps shared on Reddit, many people have successfully eradicated carpet beetles from their homes.
Part 6. Bonus Tip: How Robot Vacuums Help You with Carpet Beetles?
A simple yet very effective method of preventing carpet beetle infestation is the consistent daily pick‑up of lint/pet hair.
Robotic vacuums help clean your house with minimal effort. They remove the food source of carpet beetle larvae, making it harder for them to survive.
eufy is one of the top brands that sells various robotic vacuums equipped with the latest modern technologies. According to third-party review sites like Vacuum Wars,
- The X10 Pro OMNIis the best option for most people living in the UK. It contains a strong suction power of 8000 Pa for cleaning hard floors and carpets. Intelligent obstacle detection and self-cleaning require minimal human effort.
- If you are looking for a budget-friendly option, consider using the eufy L60. You may need to empty the bot yourself, but it utilizes the latest LiDARmapping and features 5,000 Pa suction at entry-level prices.
- The E28& E25 models are also beneficial for removing carpet beetles. They have an extendable brush for covering corners during cleaning. These edge‑sweeping brushes reach skirting boards where larvae hide.
Part 7: Early Prevention of Carpet Beetles
You can easily prevent carpet beetle infestations with simple DIY hacks, such as using airtight bags, regular cleaning, and natural repellents.
- Always store your off‑season woolens in airtight bags. It prevents the adult carpet beetles from laying eggs on these clothes. The lack of oxygen also creates a hostile environment for most pests.
- Regularly clear the loft of insect/bird nests. These places provide a food source and breeding ground for carpet beetles.
- You need to vacuum under your furniture at least once a week. It removes pet hair, lint, and other debris that can attract carpet beetles.
- You have to use natural repellents, such as cedar, lavender sachets, and vinegar, in the wardrobes. Some of these substances repel the beetle larvae with their smell, while others kill them.
- Seal all the cracks, gaps, and openings in your house. Carpet beetles often enter through small openings near windows, doors, and utility lines. So you are stopping their entryways.
Conclusion
Carpet beetles are pests that infest items made from natural fibers, such as wool, silk, and leather. The larvae of these beetles feed on the fibres of these items and make holes in them. However, the adult beetles do not bite and feed on flower pollen.
Once the infestation has occurred in your house, remove these bugs with deep cleaning, high-temperature laundry, or freezing infected items. In the future, vacuum your house regularly and store your woolen garments in airtight bags. eufy has multiple robotic vacuum options for UK homes. All of them are great for maintaining regular household cleaning with minimal effort.
FAQ
Q1. Can Carpet Beetles Live in Beds?
No, carpet bugs don’t live in beds. The larvae of carpet beetles feed on natural fibres like wool, silk, and hair. It's primarily found in rugs, closets, loft insulations, and under skirting boards. The adult beetles, however, can be seen near windows during the day.
Q2. Do Carpet Beetles Mean My House is Dirty?
Carpet beetle infestation doesn't always mean that your house is dirty. The larvae indeed grow on lint, pet hair, or dust. However, it may also infest wool rugs or stored clothes, even if your house is clean.
Q3. Will Steam Cleaning Kill Carpet Beetle Eggs?
Yes, steam cleaning easily kills carpet bug eggs. Temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit are lethal for these bug eggs. Steam penetrates the carpet fibres and delivers this temperature to the carpet beetle eggs.
