How to identify and get rid of black carpet beetles

If you've ever noticed an abundance of small dark beetles scurrying around in your carpet, then you've experienced black carpet beetles.

These tiny beetles love munching on carpets, clothing, or any other animal-based materials or fibers. This can include leather, silk, fur, feathers, wool, and even hair! They've also been known to infest kitchen cabinets looking for dried meat or dead insects.

Even though they might be small, they can create a big mess if left unchecked. However, it's not the adult beetles that are the problem. It's their babies that do all the chewing. Once a female lays eggs, it only takes 1-2 weeks for the eggs to hatch and the larvae to start doing damage to your favorite materials.

Even though black carpet beetles are found throughout the US, they thrive in the less humid Northeastern area. The larvae don't like light, so they may be hiding in warm, dark places that you won't be able to notice until it's too late. The adults, however, are attracted to lights and can be seen around light fixtures or windows.

Black carpet beetles are small, dark insects found in various parts of your home. They have shiny black or dark brown bodies and are oval, tapering toward the back. They don't have any bristles or hairs like other kinds of carpet beetles.

The larvae, which do most of the damage, are long and narrow, with short bristles all over their body. They can be found in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, under furniture, or in the corners of your rooms.

You might have an infestation if you notice damaged fabrics, unusual shed larval skins, or small fecal pellets. Also, look for adult beetles on window sills or around lights.

How big are black carpet beetles?

The adults are typically 1/8 to 3/16 inch long.

What other pest looks like a black carpet beetle?

Many small dark beetles can look like black carpet beetles, but the real confusion can be from the damage done to fabrics. The damage can look similar to that done by clothes moths or varied carpet beetles.

Black carpet beetles are found throughout the US, but they are most common in the northeastern region.

Look for them in dark, warm areas of your home, such as closets, drawers, and carpets, and sometimes in pantries, where they infest dry goods.

Sometimes, you discover damage to your favorite clothing, under a couch, or on the carpet, and it's too late to do anything. To clean up the mess, you should vacuum the damaged area, wash or dry clean any suspected clothing, and remove any damaged materials that are ruined.

However, you'll also want to take precautions to prevent this from happening again. This can include:

• Regular cleaning: Vacuum carpets, furniture, and drapes regularly to remove larvae and eggs.
• Proper storage: Store clothing and fabrics in airtight containers to prevent beetle access.
• Insect barrier: To prevent future infestations, consider using an insect barrier in and around your home. Pestie offers a pro-grade DIY solution that only takes minutes to apply!