Carpet Beetles: Where They Come From & How to Get Rid of Them

Carpet beetles are one of those pests that seem to appear out of nowhere—one day you spot a tiny beetle on a windowsill, and the next you’re finding mysterious holes in clothing. Carpet beetles are extremely common in Washington homes, especially during spring and summer.

What Exactly Are Carpet Beetles?

Carpet beetles are small, oval-shaped insects, a little smaller than a lady bug, that vary in color depending on the species. They’re harmless to people—but their larvae are another story. Larvae feed on natural fibers and can cause significant damage to carpets, clothing, and stored fabrics.

Why Do I Have Carpet Beetles?

Most carpet beetles originate outdoors. Adults feed on pollen and nectar, so they naturally live around flowers, shrubs, and gardens. They can show up randomly in your home, as they are attracted to light and often fly into homes through open windows and doors. They may also hitch a ride on cut flowers, potted plants, or clothing and blankets stored in garages and sheds. Don’t be alarmed if you just find one or two. But if they start showing up in groups or you’re finding them daily, you may need to do a bit of investigation.

Inspect your home

Homes with wool carpets, feather pillows, or fur rugs can get infestations. Dust can also be a source of carpet beetles, as it contains human skin cells, hair, pet fur and other organic debris. These are perfect larval food, especially in low-traffic areas like under furniture or along baseboards. Carpet beetle larvae also love to feed on dead insects often found in the corners of a garage.

Once inside, they lay eggs in carpets, closets, and upholstered furniture. The larvae stay hidden and feed quietly—often for months—before you notice the damage.

How Do I Get Rid of Carpet Beetles?

The good news is that most carpet beetle infestations can be solved with a vacuum and the washer/dryer. Get out the crevice attachment, and vacuum along your baseboards, under the couch cushions, and in the back of the closet and other storage areas. This will remove larvae, eggs, and food sources. Be especially aware of pet fur build up under the bed, on cat trees, and pet pillows. A good steam cleaning of the carpet can also really help.

The dryer, on high heat, will solve the problem for feather pillows, fur rugs, blankets and other natural fiber items. Leather items should be inspected well but may require dry cleaning. Be sure to check those storage bins with all the winter clothes and grandma’s knitted Afghan blankets.

Replace or clean old air filters, repair window screens, seal gaps around doors and check plants and flowers before bringing them inside.

Do I Need Professional Pest Control?

Honestly, in a majority of cases, no. The tips above will solve most problems and pest technicians are not very good at vacuuming. However, carpet beetles can be difficult to eliminate when larvae hide in deep, dark, hard-to-reach areas. The eggs are tiny and easily overlooked. Infestations occasionally start in attics or cluttered garages and sheds. If you’re seeing adult beetles regularly, a trained technician can identify the species, locate hidden hotspots, and apply targeted treatments that homeowners can’t access.