What To Do About Carpet Beetles

If you own a natural fibre carpet or a synthetic and wool blend, it’s important to be aware of carpet beetles. These seemingly harmless insects can cause significant damage to carpets, upholstery and clothing, and they’re far more common than many people realise.

Electrodry technicians often encounter the damage carpet beetles leave behind. While we can help identify the issue, it’s important to understand that only licensed pest controllers can treat a carpet beetle infestation.

If you notice loosened or missing carpet pile in areas that aren’t exposed to excess sunlight, there’s a strong chance carpet beetles could be the cause.

What are carpet beetles?

Carpet beetles themselves are generally harmless, unless you have an allergy to them. They are small insects, about 3mm in size, round, dark grey and often marked with wavy lines. Outdoors, adult beetles feed on pollen and usually go unnoticed.

The problem starts when adult beetles move indoors to lay their eggs. They seek out food sources made from natural organic materials, including:

• wool or wool-blend carpets

• jute or hessian carpet backing on synthetic carpets

• clothing and bedding

• leather and upholstery

• pantry items such as grains and cereals

Once the eggs hatch, the larvae become the real issue.

What Damage Do Carpet Beetles Cause? 

Carpet beetle larvae are red-brown in colour and covered in stiff, hair-like bristles. They feed aggressively and can eat carpet pile right down to the backing in a relatively short period of time.

This type of damage is something Electrodry technicians see regularly.

Carpet beetles and their larvae are most commonly found:

• along carpet edges and in corners

• underneath furniture

• in upholstery

• inside carpeted wardrobes

• in pantries and linen cupboards

• among stored clothing

Signs to watch for include insect droppings, shed skins, loosened or missing carpet pile, and dead beetles near window sills or doorways. Adult beetles are drawn toward sunlight and often die before escaping outside.

How Do I Stop Carpet Beetles?

Prevention is all about stopping adult beetles from entering your home in the first place.

To reduce the risk of an infestation:

• Make sure window and door insect screens are in good condition, with no holes or gaps

• Vacuum at least once a week, paying extra attention to edges, corners and under furniture

• Use vacuum attachments to reach deep into the carpet pile

• Remove loose debris, beetles, larvae and eggs thoroughly

• Check for and remove old birds’ nests around the exterior of your home, as these are a preferred environment for adult beetles

Regular, thorough cleaning plays a key role in preventing carpet beetles from becoming a problem.

How Do I Get Rid of Carpet Beetles?

If you suspect carpet beetles, the first step is to inspect the rest of your home to understand the extent of the infestation. Be sure to check:

• wardrobes and storage areas

• linen cupboards

• pantries

• carpets and rugs

• upholstery and mattresses

• stored clothing and bedding

Once you have a clearer picture, contact a licensed pest control professional to treat the infestation properly.

After pest treatment has been completed, Electrodry can professionally clean affected carpets, upholstery and mattresses, usually within 48 to 72 hours. Our cleaning process removes:

• beetles and larvae

• droppings and shed skins

• most importantly, remaining eggs

This helps reduce the risk of re-infestation and restores your carpets and furnishings as safely and thoroughly as possible.