What Causes Carpet Beetles (And Signs Of An Infestation)

It's crucial to keep carpet beetles out of your home, as they can wreak havoc on certain fabrics and destroy your carpet, depending on the material. Luckily, Dr. Jim Fredericks, the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the National Pest Management Association and a board certified entomologist, spoke exclusively with House Digest about what attracts carpet beetles and how to know if you're dealing with an infestation.

Dr. Fredericks explained that carpet beetles don't go after all types of carpets and may be interested in other fabrics or materials as well. "Despite their name, they do not feed on modern carpets made from man-made fabrics. Woolen carpets and fabrics, furs, hides, and other animal fibers (like cashmere and angora) are at risk," he said. "Carpet beetles will also feed on accumulations of shed pet hair, and stored foods." Whether you have a more expensive carpet and a collection of high-quality sweaters in your closet or a pet that sheds constantly, this could be what's drawing carpet beetles to your space.

Dr. Jim Fredericks exclusively told House Digest that carpet beetles will consume the dead bodies of other insects, and having a previous infestation of certain bugs could bring these pests to your space and keep them satisfied while they're there. "In buildings with accumulations of dead overwintering pests like multicolored Asian lady beetles, brown marmorated stink bugs, boxelder bugs or cluster flies hidden in wall voids, carpet beetle infestations may thrive," he said.

Thankfully, Dr. Fredericks provided some signs that will let you know if these pests are making themselves at home in your house. "To determine if you have a carpet beetle infestation, look for damage to fabrics made from animal fibers. The shed skin from larval carpet beetles is also a common sign of infestation," he said. These discarded larvae skins generally have a little hair. Additionally, if you find little, round bugs in your home that are multicolored with yellow, brown, white, and gray hanging out in your closet, you're likely dealing with carpet beetles. Once you've identified if there's an infestation of these pests, you can find ways to keep carpet beetles out of your house.

Though these tiny beetles may not seem so bad, they can be a real nuisance in your home. "A carpet beetle infestation can be significant, leading to extensive damage to expensive woolen carpets, fabrics and clothing," Dr. Jim Fredericks exclusively told House Digest. With any carpet beetle infestations, Dr. Fredericks recommends getting in touch with a professional pest control company, as they will be better equipped to determine the severity of the problem. While you might be tempted to try a DIY method, Dr. Fredericks suggests that professionals can get to the root of the problem faster so that carpet bugs will be a thing of the past in your home.

Besides contacting an exterminator, Dr. Fredericks explained some other tips to keep your fabrics safe when carpet beetles are present. "As with moths, to avoid varied carpet beetle infestations, store clothing in plastic containers. Dry clean clothing thoroughly before storing for long periods of time," he said. Washing your dirty clothing quickly, especially if it has food stains or is really sweaty, can also help minimize carpet beetles. If you spill food on a woolen carpet, you'll also want to clean this up promptly.