Beetle Identification

Although it’s not entirely normal to find a carpet beetle infestation in your home, from time to time it’s been known to happen. Carpet beetles are more likely to be found outside. When they get inside, they’re naturally disposed to deposit their eggs in carpets and similar types of fabrics. Carpet beetle larvae can be damaging inside the home. It’s almost always in the homeowners best interest to remove them. Carpet beetle larvae can destroy fabrics and will invade most leather and fabric products, as well as food.

The best early sign if you’re experiencing an infestation is if you start finding beetles near your windows and doors – anywhere that allows them access to the outside. Adult carpet beetles will generally come in, deposit their eggs or larvae, and then try to escape back to the outdoors, so you likely find them after they’ve already laid and when they’re trying to get back outside. What you’ll want to do is try to find where the eggs have been laid.

Once you find a nest or laying place you should:

- vacuum the area very frequently (not just carpets, either… don’t forget to vacuum the furniture and curtains!)

- get rid of piles of fabric or other types of materials that larvae might be feeding on

- use a safe, household insect spray on the floor areas and furniture

These actions will destroy any existing eggs and larvae, and will most likely discourage carpet beetles from wanting to lay eggs in your home in the future.

Luckily, carpet beetles are fairly easy to deal with. It may not be easy to stop them from coming in, especially if you can’t find the point at which they’re entering. Following the above steps, though, will ensure that you aren’t living in a beetle breeding ground and your fabrics and carpet will stay safe from beetle damage.

If you’re lucky enough to find the entrance point where the carpet beetles are finding access to your home, then you can simply seal that entrance so they can no longer come inside. The most popular entrance point for carpet beetles is through an attic or other seldomly visited area of the house. Pet doors also provide excellent access for beetles and other pests.