Have you noticed tiny beetles near the window? Or maybe you’ve seen some mysterious patches appearing in your carpet? We hate to break it to you, but you might have some small, very unwanted house guests: carpet beetles.
Here’s a quick guide on how to get rid of carpet beetles in Australia, what may have invited them in, and the signs to tell you it’s time to take action.
In Summary
- Carpet beetle larvae cause the damage, not the adult beetles
- Look for bare carpet patches, fabric holes, shed skins and bristly larvae
- Check wardrobes, rugs, furniture and stored clothing, not just the carpet
- Vacuum thoroughly, wash or freeze affected fabrics, and deep clean the carpet
- Call a pest controller if the infestation is widespread or keeps coming back
What are carpet beetles, and why are they a problem
Carpet beetles are small insects from the Dermestidae family. The adults mostly live outdoors, but they can fly inside through open windows and doors to lay their eggs.
The larvae do the damage
Adult beetles aren’t the main problem. It’s actually their larvae. They feed on natural materials such as wool, fur, feathers, leather, pet hair and dead insects. That means carpet, rugs, clothing and upholstered furniture can all end up on the menu.
Why are carpet beetles common in Australia?
Australia’s warmer conditions can keep adult beetles active for longer, while open windows, flowering gardens and homes filled with natural fibres make it easy for them to get inside and settle in.
What do carpet beetles look like?
Adults are generally oval-shaped and may be black, brown or mottled with white, yellow and orange markings, depending on the species. Their larvae are usually brown or cream, covered in bristles and shaped like tiny, hairy caterpillars.
What are the signs of carpet beetles?
Carpet beetles are easy to miss until their larvae start nibbling their way through your home.
Common signs of carpet beetles include:
- Irregular holes or thinning patches in wool carpet
- Damage around carpet edges or beneath furniture
- Small holes in clothing, rugs or upholstered furniture
- Brown, bristly larvae crawling in dark areas
- Empty larval skins around wardrobes and skirting boards
- Small adult beetles gathering near windows or lights
Finding one adult beetle doesn’t always mean there’s a full infestation. Repeated sightings, larvae or fabric damage deserve a closer look.
Where do carpet beetles hide?
Despite the name, carpet isn’t their only preferred hangout. Check dark, quiet and rarely disturbed areas like:
- Beneath furniture and along carpet edges
- Inside wardrobes and drawers
- Under rugs
- Within upholstered furniture
- Around skirting boards and floor vents
- In stored wool clothing, blankets and linen
- Near pet bedding or collections of hair and lint
What causes carpet beetles?
Wondering where carpet beetles come from? Adult beetles can fly indoors through open windows, doors, vents or small gaps. They can also hitch rides on cut flowers, secondhand furniture, rugs or stored fabrics.
Once inside, they look for somewhere cosy to lay eggs, with their larvae being attracted to natural fibres and organic material.
How do you get rid of carpet beetles?
Vacuum thoroughly
Attack your carpet edges, underneath furniture, wardrobes, rugs and skirting boards. Pay extra attention to lint, pet hair and dead insects. Once vacuumed, make sure to empty outside immediately and seal in a disposable bag before binning it.
Wash affected fabrics
Wash anything that could be infected, like clothing or bedding, using the hottest cycle allowed by the care label. A hot dryer or dry cleaning may also be appropriate for some items.
Freeze smaller items
Delicate items that can’t be washed in high heat can be sealed in a bag and popped in the freezer to kill off the beetles or larvae.
Deep clean the carpet
Vacuuming picks up loose larvae, shed skins, hair and surface debris. A deeper clean with appropriate carpet cleaners helps lift the grime and organic matter buried further into the carpet pile.
When should you call a pest controller?
It’s time to call in the big guns if the larvae keep returning, you have several affected rooms, or you can’t locate the breeding source.
Keep carpet beetles from coming back
Carpet beetles are persistent, but regular vacuuming, occasional deep cleaning, careful fabric treatment and a little ongoing vigilance can help you get the problem under control.
FAQs
Do carpet beetles bite humans?
Carpet beetles don’t feed on people and aren’t known for biting. However, contact with the tiny hairs shed by some larvae may irritate sensitive skin. Unexplained bites or rashes could have another cause and may need professional identification or medical advice.
Does Vacuuming Get Rid of Carpet Beetles?
Thorough vacuuming can remove larvae, beetles, shed skins and the lint or hair they feed on. However, one quick pass probably won’t finish the job. Vacuum all affected and hidden areas repeatedly, dispose of the contents outside and combine it with carpet cleaners and DIY deep cleaning.
