This article explains how to identify carpet beetles (Dermestidae), where they are found in North America, how to avoid infestations, and how to control or eliminate them from homes, storage areas, and buildings.
In North America, carpet beetles are also known as furniture beetles, wool beetles, or museum beetles, depending on the species and context.
What do carpet beetles look like?
Carpet beetles are small, oval-shaped insects typically 2–5 mm long. Their colours vary by species but often include black, brown, white, or mottled patterns of orange and yellow. The most common species include the varied carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci), black carpet beetle (Attagenus unicolor), and furniture carpet beetle (Anthrenus flavipes).
Adult carpet beetles have a dome-shaped body with short antennae. Their larvae, often called “woolly bears,” are elongated, brown, and covered in bristle-like hairs. Larvae are more destructive than adults and are usually responsible for household damage.
Where are carpet beetles found in North America?
Carpet beetles are widespread throughout North America and can be found in both urban and rural settings. They thrive in temperature-controlled environments, which makes homes and commercial buildings ideal habitats.
They are commonly found:
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In homes, particularly in attics, basements, closets, and under carpets
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In upholstered furniture, clothing, and wool textiles
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Behind baseboards, along edges of rugs, and in air ducts
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In museums, libraries, and taxidermy collections
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Around window sills and door frames where adults are attracted to light
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Occasionally outdoors in gardens, bird nests, or animal dens
Carpet beetles can be active year-round indoors but are most likely to enter homes during spring and summer.
Where do carpet beetles live and reproduce?
Adult carpet beetles lay eggs in dark, undisturbed areas near natural fibres and organic debris. Eggs hatch in one to three weeks, and larvae begin feeding immediately. The larval stage can last several months to over a year, depending on environmental conditions and food availability.
Carpet beetles reproduce in:
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Closets with wool, silk, fur, or feathers
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Storage boxes containing clothing or linens
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Upholstered furniture with natural stuffing
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Air vents, attics, or crawl spaces with dust and hair build-up
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Dead insects or animals (e.g., in wall voids or chimneys)
They prefer dry, undisturbed locations with limited light and access to natural protein- or keratin-based materials.
How do you recognise a carpet beetle infestation?
Carpet beetle infestations often go unnoticed until visible damage occurs.
Signs include:
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Irregular holes in wool clothing, rugs, or upholstery
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Shedding larval skins, often near baseboards or in corners
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Tiny, slow-moving larvae under carpets or in wardrobes
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Adult beetles near windows or light fixtures
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Bald spots or thin patches on fur or taxidermy mounts
Unlike clothes moths, carpet beetles tend to feed on hidden areas and cause more scattered damage.
How can you prevent carpet beetles?
Preventing carpet beetles relies on regular cleaning and controlling access to organic materials.
Clean thoroughly and frequently
Vacuum carpets, rugs, skirting boards, and furniture upholstery regularly. Pay special attention to corners, edges, and hidden crevices.
Store textiles properly
Use sealed plastic containers for wool, fur, or silk items. Add cedar chips or moth repellents in storage areas.
Remove organic debris
Clear out old bird or rodent nests in attics or crawl spaces. Dispose of dead insects or animal carcasses that can attract beetles.
Limit access to outdoor beetles
Seal cracks around windows and doors. Install fine mesh screens and repair damaged weather stripping.
Inspect second-hand items
Examine vintage clothing, furniture, or textiles before bringing them indoors. Carpet beetles often hitchhike unnoticed.
Reduce indoor humidity
Dry environments discourage larvae. Use dehumidifiers in basements and storage rooms.
How do you get rid of carpet beetles?
Removing carpet beetles requires a combination of cleaning, exclusion, and targeted treatment.
Deep clean affected areas
Thoroughly vacuum and steam clean all infested carpets, curtains, furniture, and cracks. Dispose of vacuum bags immediately.
Launder infested textiles
Wash wool, cotton, and silk items in hot water and dry on high heat. Alternatively, freeze smaller items for at least 72 hours.
Use insecticides when necessary
Apply residual sprays containing pyrethroids to cracks, baseboards, and carpet edges. Always follow product instructions and safety guidelines.
Consider professional pest control
Severe infestations may require expert assessment and treatment, especially in commercial or multi-unit buildings.
Monitor activity with traps
Sticky traps with pheromones can help track adult carpet beetle presence and locate breeding areas.
Discard heavily infested items
If an object is badly damaged or contains active larvae deep within, it is often best to dispose of it.
What is the life cycle of carpet beetles?
The life cycle of carpet beetles includes four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
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Eggs – Laid in crevices near food sources (natural fibres, dead insects, etc.)
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Larvae – Feed on organic material for several weeks to over a year
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Pupae – Develop in hidden locations for one to two weeks
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Adults – Emerge, mate, and lay new eggs; adults feed on pollen and nectar, not fabrics
Depending on conditions, carpet beetles can complete one to four generations per year indoors.
Are carpet beetles harmful to humans or pets?
Carpet beetles do not bite or sting, but their larvae can cause allergic skin reactions in some individuals due to the bristly hairs. Pets may ingest larvae by grooming, which is usually harmless but can occasionally cause digestive irritation.
Damage from carpet beetles is mostly material-based:
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Destruction of clothing, carpets, and furniture
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Damage to museum specimens, taxidermy, or book bindings
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Contamination of dry food goods in rare cases (by some species)
Controlling infestations early is key to limiting the extent of the damage.
In which regions of North America are carpet beetles most common?
Carpet beetles are found throughout North America, including colder and warmer regions alike. They are particularly common in:
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Densely populated urban areas with indoor heating
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Agricultural zones with access to animal materials
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Wooded residential neighbourhoods with nesting birds or rodents
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Museums, libraries, and historical buildings with organic collections
Their ability to survive indoors year-round makes them one of the most persistent indoor pests in homes, regardless of geographic location.