Carpet-Beetles do more than destroy carpets and rugs, they chew holes through all types of fabrics and textiles including upholstered furniture, curtains and clothes. Carpet-Beetles also feed off of dog hair, cat hair, bird feathers along with other types of hair and lint. Carpet-Beetles are just as damaging, if not more destructive than clothes moths. They are also not limited to eating just fabrics, textiles and fur, they will also eat pasta and other grains in the kitchen. The 2 most common types are the Black Carpet-Beetle and the Varied Carpet-Beetle. Both can be found in closets, cabinets, drawers, attics, basements and just about anywhere else in the house.
The Carpet-Beetles' young are small hairy worms and are responsible for most of the damage, more so than the adult Carpet-Beetle. The young remain in the destructive larvae stage for up to 1 year.
The first line of defense in eliminating Carpet-Beetles is your vacuum. Vacuum often to pick up Carpet-Beetles and to pick up loose pet hair and lint. Empty the vacuum cleaner bag or cup outside immediately after you finish vacuuming to prevent the Carpet-Beetles from crawling back out of the vacuum.
Store as many types of fabrics and textiles in airtight plastic containers to control Carpet-Beetles.
For a Carpet-Beetle infestation, steam clean carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture and launder any other fabrics in the hottest water safe for them.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth under furniture, along baseboards and in areas where you have seen Carpet-Beetles. The diatomaceous earth is scratchy and deadly to soft bodied insects. It cuts their undersides and causes them to die, this is especially effective on the young Carpet-Beetles.
Sprinkle Boric Acid all around the rooms affected by Carpet-Beetles. Be sure to sprinkle under carpets or rugs, under chair cushions, along baseboards, in clothes closets and drawers. All boric acid to sit for at least 24 hours before vacuuming. Boric acid is available in pharmacies and some grocery stores.
Make your own Carpet-Beetle traps. Use flypaper, Tanglefoot or make your own non drying sticky surface such as duct tape with the adhesive facing outwards. In the middle of your sticky surface, place a small flat container such as a lid from a jar filled with oil from canned tuna or sardines. Carpet-Beetles are thought to be attracted to string fish odors and will go to investigate. Tanglefoot is a sticky substance that is painted on surfaces and traps bugs. Tanglefoot is available in garden centers, nurseries and online. Paint Tanglefoot on a paper plate and place the jar lid in the center. Place Carpet-Beetle traps under furniture or in dark cabinets and closets. Carpet-Beetles usually feed in the cover of darkness.