It's normal for carpet beetles to cause alarm when you find them in your home. Carpet beetles are not only a nuisance but are capable of causing damage to fabrics, textiles and upholstered furniture.
Similar to clothes moths, carpet beetles thrive on natural materials. However, the good news is that they can be controlled as long as you identify them early and have the right approach.
In this article, you'll learn ten effective tips that we personally recommend so you know how to stop carpet beetle infestations. These are great to ensure you have a pest-free zone quickly.
Fast Action Plan (First 24–48 Hours)
- Find hotspots fast: check carpet edges, under sofas/beds, wardrobes and drawers.
- Vacuum properly: slow passes along skirting boards and seams; empty the canister/bag into a sealed bag outside.
- Heat or freeze fabrics: wash what you can on a care-label-safe hot wash; for delicates, freeze at -18°C for 2 weeks (sealed bag).
- Reduce food sources: remove lint/pet hair; clean under heavy furniture.
- Set monitoring traps: place 2–4 traps in the worst rooms and check weekly.
1. Identify the Problem
The first step is to make sure that you are definitely dealing with carpet beetles. It is not unusual for these pests to be mixed up with other insects, such as clothes moths. However, these will require different treatment even though the damage they cause can be similar.
Look out for adult beetles, which are small and can be black, brown, or mixed in colour. Alternatively, look out for their larvae, which are often called "woolly bears". This is because they are fuzzy and caterpillar-like. Other signs of their presence include shed skins and irregular holes in natural fabrics.
2. Clean and Declutter
Declutter your home to reduce potential roaming and breeding grounds for carpet beetles. Ensure that you regularly clean carpets and upholstered furniture thoroughly with a vacuum. Focus especially around and under furniture. After vacuuming, dispose of the bag in a tightly sealed plastic bag so carpet beetle larvae do not escape into the room.
3. Wash Bedding and Clothing
Wash all fabrics, including bedding, linens, curtains and clothes at a high temperature - ideally at least 60°C or the hottest temperature the care label allows. Tumble-dry if allowed. For non-washable items such as wool and silk, consider dry-cleaning or freezing for two weeks to kill all life stages of the beetles.
4. Protect Your Fabrics
Place sealable covers on your clothes, especially those made from wool, silk, fur, and similar natural fabrics. This will prevent carpet beetles and larvae from gaining access to the things they can feed off and cause damage to.
5. Seal and Proof Entry Points (Stop Them Coming Back)
Adult carpet beetles can fly in through open windows/doors or hitchhike on flowers and plants — and once indoors, larvae can hide and move through tiny gaps where lint and fibres collect.
- Seal gaps around skirting boards, floor edges and floorboards with a suitable filler (and check around pipes/cables)
- Fit/repair window screens where practical, and use door sweeps/brush strips to reduce fly-ins
- Inspect flowers and potted plants before bringing them indoors (shake out over a bin/outside)
- If you’ve had bird nests in the loft/eaves nearby, deal with them safely — they’re a common source area
6. Use Natural Repellents
Among natural repellents are substances such as cedar oil and diatomaceous earth. Apply these to beetle-prone areas to keep them away without the use of harsh chemicals.
7. Use Monitoring Traps
Set up non-toxic sticky traps around the house to monitor and catch adult carpet beetles. Place the traps in areas where they are known to live. In addition to monitoring for signs of an infestation, they are effective at reducing the population of breeding adults.
8. Consider Insecticide Treatments
Always prioritise cleaning, heat/freeze and proofing first before treating cracks, carpet edges, underlay lines and known hotspots.
We recommend considering the use of pesticide-free insect sprays or powders for DIY control where possible. If the infestation is quite severe, you may need to consider using more potent insecticides such as carpet beetle sprays and carpet beetle powders.
When applying them, pay close attention to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Concentrate on the areas where beetles or larvae have been seen or are likely to exist. This includes carpets, closets and beneath furniture.
9. Monitor and Maintain
Routinely inspect your home for signs of carpet beetles. Focus especially on high-risk areas with a lot of natural materials, such as woollen carpets or silk scarves. Early detection can help prevent widespread damage and allow you to control things early on.
10. Seek Professional Help
If the infestation is continuous or if you are not sure how to deal with the problem yourself, consult a professional pest control service. They may offer targeted treatments and advice that will help you soundly manage your carpet beetle problem.
Final Thoughts
Take action as soon as possible when you spot any signs of carpet beetles in your home. Regular checking, cleaning and the use of preventive measures are key to keeping your home free from these unwanted pests.
Remember, Pestbuddy.co.uk is here to help with effective, safe, and easy-to-use DIY pest control solutions. Whether you prefer to handle it yourself or need professional guidance, we're here to support your pest control efforts every step of the way.
We go to great lengths to ensure that all our DIY beetle control products are effective, fast & easy-to-use. You may also find our expert guide useful if you want to learn more about getting rid of carpet beetles from your home or workplace.
