Carpet Beetles

Carpet Beetle Identification Guide

Physical Characteristics

Adult carpet beetles are small, oval insects about 2-5mm long. You will often find them on windowsills and flowers rather than on carpets. The larvae cause the actual damage to fabrics. They look very different from adult beetles.

Adult beetles have hard, rounded bodies covered in tiny scales. These scales form their color patterns. They have short, clubbed antennae and can fly. This helps them spread to new areas. When scared, they often play dead by tucking their legs close.

Carpet beetle larvae do all the damage. They look like fuzzy, carrot-shaped grubs with bands of brown bristly hairs. These hairs can break off and cause skin irritation in some people. The larvae shed their skins many times as they grow. Finding these shed skins is often the first sign of a problem.

Common Species in North America

Varied Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci) is the most common type. Adults have a mix of white, brown, and yellow scales on their backs. They are about 2-3mm long. Their larvae have light and dark brown stripes.

Black Carpet Beetle (Attagenus unicolor) adults are solid dark brown to black. They are slightly larger at 3-5mm. Their larvae have a long tuft of golden-brown hairs at the tail. Some people call them “buffalo moths.”

Common Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus scrophulariae) looks like the varied carpet beetle but has clearer bands of color. They are slightly larger and often have red or orange scales mixed with white and black.

Furniture Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus flavipes) is rounder than other types. It has a mix of yellow, white, and black scales. These beetles often infest upholstered furniture. They are common in the eastern United States.

Carpet Beetle Behavior and Biology

Lifecycle and Development

Carpet beetles go through four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Knowing this lifecycle helps with control.

Eggs are tiny and white. Females lay them in clusters of 30 to 100 in dark, hidden spots near food sources. They look for lint, hair, dead insects, or natural fiber materials. Eggs hatch in 1-2 weeks.

Larvae are the stage that causes damage. They feed for 2-3 months, but can take up to 2 years in poor conditions. They like dark, quiet areas and will burrow into materials. Larvae shed their skins 5-11 times before they pupate. These shed skins are often the most visible sign of an infestation.

Pupae form inside the last larval skin. This stage lasts 2-3 weeks. Pupae resist many pesticides. This is why follow-up treatments are needed.

Adults come out and seek light right away. They live 2-6 weeks and feed on pollen from flowers. They prefer white and light-colored blooms. Adults do not damage household items. Their only job is to reproduce.

What Do Carpet Beetles Eat?

Carpet beetle larvae eat keratin, a protein found in many natural materials:

• Wool carpets, rugs, and clothing
• Silk garments and fabric
• Leather goods and bookbindings
• Fur coats and animal hides
• Feathers in pillows, down jackets, and decorations
• Taxidermy mounts and insect collections
• Pet hair and dander buildup
• Dead insects in wall voids

The larvae prefer dirty materials. Sweat, food stains, and body oils give them extra nutrients. Clothing worn once and stored without washing is at high risk.

Where Do Carpet Beetles Hide?

Infestations usually start in spots people overlook:

• Inside closets with wool clothing you rarely wear
• Under furniture and along baseboards where pet hair builds up
• In air ducts where lint collects
• Around taxidermy, antiques, and old items
• Inside stored boxes of clothing or blankets
• In piano felts and other items with wool parts
• Near bird or wasp nests (a natural food source for them)

Signs of a Carpet Beetle Infestation

Damage Patterns

Carpet beetle damage looks different from clothes moth damage:

• Irregular holes instead of even, uniform damage
• Surface grazing where larvae eat only the top layer and leave the backing
• Damage along seams and folds where larvae hide while they feed
• Fecal pellets and shed skins near damaged areas

Early Warning Signs

1. Shed larval skins: Light brown, hairy shells left behind after molting
2. Adult beetles on windowsills: They are drawn to light when trying to get outside
3. Larvae crawling on walls: This happens often in spring when they look for places to pupate
4. Small fecal pellets: Tiny, sand-like particles near damaged items

How We Treat for Carpet Beetles

Good carpet beetle control takes a step-by-step approach that targets all life stages.

Inspection and Assessment

Our licensed technicians start with a full inspection to:

• Find the source of the problem
• Identify all affected materials and areas
• Check how many larvae are active
• Look for conditions that attract beetles, like lint buildup or stored natural fibers

We check closets, storage areas, HVAC systems, and any place with natural fibers or animal products.

Treatment Strategy

Targeted Residual Applications: We apply insecticides to cracks, baseboards, and carpet edges where larvae travel and feed. These treatments keep working over time to stop newly hatched larvae.

Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs): IGRs stop larvae from growing into adults that can reproduce. This breaks the breeding cycle and prevents new infestations from eggs and pupae that survived the first treatment.

Dust Applications: In wall voids and other hidden areas, we use insecticidal dusts. These provide long-lasting control in spaces where larvae often grow.

Customer Preparation and Guidance

Treatment works best when homeowners help:

• Clean infested areas well and remove lint and debris
• Dry clean or hot wash fabrics that may be affected (above 120 degrees F kills all life stages)
• Store woolens properly in sealed containers or garment bags
• Vacuum regularly, especially carpets, furniture, and along baseboards

Follow-Up and Prevention

Eggs and pupae can survive initial treatment. We schedule follow-up visits 2-4 weeks later to kill newly emerged larvae. We also suggest ways to change your storage habits to prevent future problems.

References and Further Reading

• University of Kentucky Entomology - Carpet Beetles
• Penn State Extension - Black Carpet Beetle
• EPA - Controlling Indoor Pests
• National Pest Management Association - Varied Carpet Beetles