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Carpet Beetles in Homes
- Small fuzzy larvae that infest food and fabrics -
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Summary: Carpet, or dermestid, beetles infest both fabrics and stored food. Sanitation, cleaning and discarding infested items, is the best control strategy. Since most houses have at least a few carpet beetles, don't be overly alarmed if you find some.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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What are carpet beetles?
 There are at least 4 carpet, or dermestid, beetles that invade homes. All are less than 1/4" long, some only 1/8", some are a uniformly dark color while others have colored scales on their back (see photo right). Dermestids also have a "fuzzy" larval stage (see photo below).
Adult beetles feed on plant pollen and nectar but larvae feed on, and may damage, wool, fur, hide, animal horn, feathers, hair, silk, linen, cotton, and rayon. Soiled fabrics are much more likely to attract carpet beetle feeding than clean fabrics. Carpet beetle larvae also infest stored food items such as cereal, grains, nuts, dry pet food and spices.
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carpet beetle (magnified; ~ 1/8" long); some carpet beetles are all black
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Infestations in homes are usually found when these small beetles are discovered on walls or floors. Since the beetles are fairly mobile the actual infestation of larvae may be some distance from where you see the beetles.
Carpet beetles are very common and there's no reason to be overly concerned if you find a few. Except for the damage they do to fabrics and stored food items demestid beetles are pretty harmless. Use the control methods outlined below to manage these beetles to a level where damage is no longer an issue. These beetles can, however, be important pests in warehouses.
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carpet beetle larva (magnified; ~ 1/4" long); larvae may be tan, brown, gray or black
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How to control dermestid beetles
Cleaning is the best and safest way to control beetle larvae. Carefully check shelves where dry foods are stored, especially dry pet foods, cereals, grains, and so forth. Also check items made of natural fabrics, stuffed animals, and so on. Once you find the infestation clean or discard anything that is infested. Insecticides are usually not necessary. Move furniture and clean the area under furniture legs because carpet beetles prefer these hidden areas.
If you find fuzzy carpet beetle larvae, or shed skins, in kitchen cabinets this indicates a food storage, or pantry infestation. Clean shelves with a mild household cleaner . Don't use insecticides in the kitchen. See Related Articles below for more information.
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Don't use mothballs
Normal dry cleaning kills all stages of carpet beetles in clothing. For long-term storage clean clothes can be placed in air tight, plastic storage boxes. There's no need to use mothballs in storage containers or closets. In fact, recent studies warn about the health hazards of mothballs (see Why Mothballs Are Too Dangerous To Use). Clothes that are regularly worn and laundered will not be damaged by these beetles.
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| Control of a carpet beetle infestation in a clothes closet can be a long-term project so you'll need patience. Carefully inspect and clean areas of suspected infestation. Stick with it and you'll eventually eliminate these pesky pests. |
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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information for solving common insect and mite problems around your home, business and landscape using least-toxic methods.
Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.
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