Carpet Beetles

Black Carpet Beetle 

• Adult: About 3/16 inches long, elongated-oval body, dark brown to black in color.
• Larva: Reddish brown, covered in dark hairs with a distinct brush of hairs at the tip of the abdomen; 2.5–5.5 mm long.

Varied Carpet Beetle

• Adult: 1/10–1/8 inch long with irregular patterns of white, brown, and dark yellow scales on their wings (fades to black as scales wear off).
• Larva: About 1/10–1/8 inch long, with alternating light and dark brown hair stripes.

Correct identification is important because knowing which species is present can help pinpoint the source.

• Neither species bites humans or pets, and do not pose significant health risks.
• However, larval hairs can cause skin irritation or contact dermatitis or respiratory issues in sensitive individuals.
• The hairs on black carpet beetle larvae can cause inflammation and discomfort within the digestive tract in infants, children, and at-risk individuals. They may also cause an allergic reaction.

• Larvae of both black carpet beetles and varied carpet beetles feed on keratin-rich materials—wool, fur, silk, feathers, leather, and even dry insects or natural fibers—thus damaging carpets, fabrics, clothing, upholstery, stored food products, and taxidermy
• Black carpet beetle larvae are among the most destructive of species, able to damage household items and penetrate food packaging.
• Larvae can feed and develop for months before becoming adults.

• Adults feed on pollen and can hitchhike on cut flowers, plants, and secondhand items.
• Bird nests, insect remnants, or pet food stored indoors are known to attract black carpet beetles.

• Adult carpet beetles are attracted to light and can fly indoors through open doors or windows.

• Look for adult beetles near light sources or windows, shed larval skins (molt casings), larvae in dark undisturbed areas like closets, under furniture, or near baseboards.
• Damage includes irregular holes in natural-fiber fabrics, carpets, upholstery, and presence of fecal pellets or shed skin.

• Regular, thorough vacuuming of carpets, furniture, and baseboards; laundering or dry-cleaning vulnerable fabrics; and keeping storage areas clean.
• Seal entry points, inspect cut flowers or secondhand items before bringing indoors, and store susceptible items in airtight containers.

Non-chemical control steps:

• Locate and discard infested items.
• Thoroughly vacuum carpets, furniture, baseboards, and hard-to-reach areas like under furniture, inside closets, heat ducts, and attics.
• Wash or dry-clean clothing and bedding in hot cycles.
• Seal cracks, repair screens, and replace worn door sweeps to prevent entry.

Alternative to discarding items:
If you have valuable or sentimental items that are infested — such as rugs, upholstered furniture, or taxidermy — Adam’s can provide a heat chamber treatment to eliminate all life stages without chemicals. In Adam’s heat chamber, the temperature is held at 120° Fahrenheit for 2-3 hours.

Preventing Future Carpet Beetle Problems

• Store clothing and fabrics in sealed containers.
• Regularly clean behind and under furniture, rugs, and appliances.
• Inspect and clean second-hand items before bringing them indoors.
• Maintain window screens, caulk gaps, and replace worn door sweeps.
• Use insect light traps and pheromone monitors where carpet beetles are common.

Thorough cleaning is essential, but usually not enough to completely eliminate a carpet beetle infestation — professional treatment targets hidden larvae and eggs.

Not always. If thoroughly vacuuming the item does not eliminate all of the beetles, a heat chamber treatment is an alternative for valuable or sentimental items.

DIY products may kill visible adults but rarely address hidden life stages. Professional service from Adam’s Pest Control ensures complete control.

• Black carpet beetle: Complete metamorphosis from egg to adult takes approximately 4–5 months; larvae stage can last up to 3 years in poor conditions; adults live a few weeks and lay 50–100 eggs.
• Varied carpet beetle: Life cycle 1–3 years depending on conditions; larvae hatch in spring/summer; adults live about 2–6 weeks and quickly reproduce.