Carpet Beetle best pesticide to use - Ask Extension
Hi Miri
I’ve sent numerous pics to UM and asked questions about the carpet beetles in my home! I appreciate your great service!
I found approx...
Knowledgebase
Carpet Beetle best pesticide to use #889548
Asked November 08, 2024, 2:58 PM EST
Hi Miri
I’ve sent numerous pics to UM and asked questions about the carpet beetles in my home! I appreciate your great service!
I found approx 5 carpet beetles on the bedroom carpet and 2 in another bedroom on the carpet.
Could you please advise what is the best type of pesticide to rid our home of these pests?
Also, does the pesticide get rid of the beetle altogether or can they return within 30 days?
Thank you!
Jackie
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to Ask Extension and for sending photos.
Carpet beetles are very common. We would recommend vacuuming the beetles and larvae up when you see them and vacuuming and thoroughly cleaning any areas where you are finding them (carpeting, along baseboards, under furniture, and in closets). Once you are finished vacuuming these areas, dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag outdoors. The carpet beetles you are finding are feeding on accumulated lint, pet hair, food crumbs, dead insects and other organic debris. Cleaning away this debris will remove their food sources and help to reduce their numbers. Carpet beetles do not feed on clean synthetic or man-made fabrics but they can be found feeding in wool-synthetic blends or on synthetic fabrics stained with sweat. If you have any woolen products, check them for signs of carpet beetles. Be sure to clean any wool items before storing them in an air-tight, insect-proof container. Rugs can be taken outside to shake out and clean. Any items that are highly infested may need to be discarded. Any infested clothing items should be washed or professionally dry cleaned.
Periodic cleaning and vacuuming should help to reduce their numbers, as well as checking clothing storage areas for any evidence of carpet beetles accumulating. Pesticides are typically not needed to reduce carpet beetle populations, and they will not permanently remove them (especially if their food source is not addressed), but if you continue to see high numbers of carpet beetles, after cleaning and vacuuming thoroughly, then you could consider working with a professional pest control company who can apply a pesticide for you. If you choose to use a chemical control be sure to carefully consider your options as you work with a professional and certified pest control company. (Extension doesn't collect information on pest control companies, nor recommend particular businesses, so we do not have a company list to share.)
For more information on carpet beetles and managing them, please see these credible Extension pages:
Miri (response provided by Madeline Potter, our HGIC entomologist)
Thank you for reaching out to Ask Extension and for sending photos.
Carpet beetles are very common. We would recommend vacuuming the beetles and larvae up when you see them and vacuuming and thoroughly cleaning any areas where you are finding them (carpeting, along baseboards, under furniture, and in closets). Once you are finished vacuuming these areas, dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag outdoors. The carpet beetles you are finding are feeding on accumulated lint, pet hair, food crumbs, dead insects and other organic debris. Cleaning away this debris will remove their food sources and help to reduce their numbers. Carpet beetles do not feed on clean synthetic or man-made fabrics but they can be found feeding in wool-synthetic blends or on synthetic fabrics stained with sweat. If you have any woolen products, check them for signs of carpet beetles. Be sure to clean any wool items before storing them in an air-tight, insect-proof container. Rugs can be taken outside to shake out and clean. Any items that are highly infested may need to be discarded. Any infested clothing items should be washed or professionally dry cleaned.
Periodic cleaning and vacuuming should help to reduce their numbers, as well as checking clothing storage areas for any evidence of carpet beetles accumulating. Pesticides are typically not needed to reduce carpet beetle populations, and they will not permanently remove them (especially if their food source is not addressed), but if you continue to see high numbers of carpet beetles, after cleaning and vacuuming thoroughly, then you could consider working with a professional pest control company who can apply a pesticide for you. If you choose to use a chemical control be sure to carefully consider your options as you work with a professional and certified pest control company. (Extension doesn't collect information on pest control companies, nor recommend particular businesses, so we do not have a company list to share.)
For more information on carpet beetles and managing them, please see these credible Extension pages:
- Carpet Beetles
- Penn State -- Black Carpet Beetle (management section)
- Oregon State -- Finding and Removing Variegated Carpet Beetles
Miri (response provided by Madeline Potter, our HGIC entomologist)
