Got carpet bugs at home? Here's how to get rid of them. These tiny pests can silently damage carpets, clothing, and furniture if left untreated. Whether you’ve spotted them crawling across your rugs or found unexplained holes in fabrics, carpet bugs - also known as carpet beetles - are more common than many homeowners realise. Using a powerful carpet cleaning machine can help reduce their presence, but to truly eliminate them, you’ll need a more thorough approach.
The good news? With the right approach, you can eliminate them effectively and prevent them from coming back. In this guide, we’ll share expert-approved methods from pest control specialist Dr. Jonathan Kirby, developmental chemist and pest expert to help you identify, remove and protect your home from carpet bug infestations.
What are carpet bugs?
Carpet beetles are insects often found in and around thick fabrics like carpets, curtains, soft furnishings, pet beds, and near windows. “Their larvae feed on keratin, which is found in materials such as wool, fur, feathers, and silk,” explains Dr. Kirby.
How to spot carpet bugs
"An infestation can often be identified by the holes larvae make in fabrics like blankets and rugs," says Jonathan. "Adult Carpet Beetles are most active between April and June, where they seek light, pollen and nectar. They then lay eggs, which hatch around 2 weeks later".
The larvae, not the adults, are the real culprits - feeding in dark, undisturbed areas like wardrobes, under furniture, basements and attics. “Don’t forget to check these hidden spots,” Jonathan warns. “Carpet beetles also like to lay eggs in bird nests around roof spaces and eaves.”
How to get rid of carpet bugs
Vacuuming carpet beetles with a good vacuum cleaner can help to tackle an infestation, but "it’s important to use the right techniques and follow up with washing and insecticide to treat the entire beetle lifecycle".
Here is the four-step process that Dr. Jonathan Kirby recommends:
1. Vacuum with the right technique
Vacuum all areas where carpet beetles may be hiding, including pillows, curtains and soft furnishings. When vacuuming your carpet, first go against the “nap”, or the direction of the fibres. This will reveal any concealed dirt, beetles, larvae and eggs, which you can go over in the opposite direction to remove. For a really thorough clean, you should also vacuum under the carpet and use an upholstery cleaning attachment to vacuum along the edge.
2. Dispose of collected beetles
Empty the full vacuum cleaner into a plastic bag, seal and dispose immediately in an outside bin. This prevents carpet beetles crawling out of the indoor bin and into your home again.
3. Wash affected fabrics
Wash any fabrics that may have been in contact with the infestation in the washing machine at a high temperature. It’s also worth vacuum-packing any at-risk items when not in use to protect against carpet beetle attack.
4. Treat the area
Next, use an insecticide like NOPE! CP Carpet Beetle Killer Spray to provide barrier protection and deal with any beetles, larvae or eggs you may have missed. After treatment, avoid vacuuming the room for as long as possible – preferably for seven days – to allow the carpet beetle population time to come into contact with the spray.
Alternatively, use NOPE! Insect Killer Smoke Bombs to fully treat one room at a time. Close all doors and windows, light the smoke bomb on a heat-proof surface then leave the building for at least two hours. Ventilate the room thoroughly for at least 30 minutes, then clear away any carpet beetles, larvae or eggs.
Products to get rid of carpet bugs
NOPE!
NOPE!How to get rid of carpet bugs naturally
Alternatively, if you’re trying to avoid harsh chemicals, several natural methods can help eliminate carpet bugs safely and effectively. Here's how to tackle an infestation using eco-friendly, household-safe solutions:
• Carpet beetle larvae flourish in dirty environments. Keep the area free of crumbs and pet hair (try using a pet hair vacuum if you have animals at home).
• Sprinkle baking soda or food-grade diatomaceous earth on the carpet. These natural powders work by dehydrating and killing the bugs. After letting it sit for a while, vacuum it up.
• You can also make a spray with water and essential oils like lavender, peppermint, or tea tree. Lightly spray this on carpets and corners to repel bugs naturally.
• Keep your home dry and well-ventilated since carpet bugs thrive in humid environments. Using a dehumidifier can help reduce moisture.
• If possible, place rugs or carpets outside in direct sunlight. The heat and UV rays help kill any remaining bugs.
• Finally, wash removable fabrics like cushion covers and blankets in hot water regularly to keep bugs from hiding there.
Meet the expert
Dr. Jonathan Kirby is a developmental chemist and pest expert at NOPE!. From pest advice to masonry protection, he has dedicated himself to helping protect UK housing stock through the development of new and innovative products.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and loves going on walks with her three dogs.