Insect · Moderate risk
Carpet Beetle
Carpet beetle is the name given to small beetles of the genus Anthrenus, such as the varied carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci) in the photo. The adult does no damage: it is the hairy larva that eats fibres of animal origin (wool, silk, fur, feathers) and chews irregular holes in carpets, clothing and upholstered furniture long before you notice it.
2.5-3 mm · White, brown and orange scales
§1Distinctive features
How to identify it
The adult varied carpet beetle measures 2.5 to 3 mm. It is oval, almost round, black and covered with white, brown and orange-yellow scales that form a mottled pattern. The carpet beetle larva, the only one responsible for the damage, is brownish, covered with long hairs, and leaves brown, hairy shed skins behind it.
§2Habitat
Where to find it
The larvae hide in dark, quiet corners: under carpets, along baseboards, in closets, ventilation ducts and attics. Outdoors, the adults feed on pollen and nectar on flowers. The females get in through a loose window screen, a crack or with a bouquet of cut flowers, then lay their eggs near what their larvae will eat: woollens, wool carpets, feathers, bird nests or dead insects.
§3Reproduction
Lifecycle
In a heated house, the full carpet beetle cycle often takes about a year, sometimes close to two years. Varied carpet beetle larvae take a winter break (diapause) and resume their development in spring.
§4What to look out for
Signs of presence
- Irregular holes in wool, silk or cashmere
- Brown, hairy shed skins along baseboards
- Small speckled beetles on window sills
- Thinning carpet pile under rarely moved furniture
§5Real risks
Risks
- Permanent damage to carpets, woollens and furs
- Redness and itching in some people on contact with larval hairs, often mistaken for bites
- Occasionally attacks dry foods and taxidermy
§6Prevention
How to avoid it
- Vacuum under furniture and along baseboards
- Store clean woollens in airtight containers
- Install window screens to keep adults out
- Remove bird nests and dead insects near the attic
§7Pro method
How MW works
Inspection
Inspection of carpets, baseboards and closets.
Preparation
Deep vacuuming and removal of the hotspots.
Treatment
Targeted treatment of edges and textiles.
Follow-up
Control visit · written guarantee offered depending on the treatment chosen.
§8Your questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Is the carpet beetle a health hazard?
No. It does not sting, does not bite and transmits no disease. However, the hairs of its larvae can irritate the skin or cause an allergic reaction in some people.
How do I tell a carpet beetle from a clothes moth?
The carpet beetle leaves brown, hairy shed skins and irregular holes, often grouped in the same spot. The clothes moth leaves silk instead: webbing, small silky tunnels and, in some species, a case that the larva drags along with it.
Do I have to throw out clothes infested by carpet beetles?
Rarely. Wash whatever can be washed in hot water (60 °C) according to the label, or have it dry-cleaned. For woollens and anything that cannot be washed, put the item in a well-sealed bag in the freezer, at -18 °C or colder, for at least a week.
How do I get rid of carpet beetles?
Start by finding the source: a wool carpet, an old woollen, a bird nest or dead insects in the attic. If the damage continues despite vacuuming and sorting the textiles, our pest control service can locate the hotspots and treat them in a targeted way.
The carpet beetle hotspot is often hidden: under a rarely moved carpet, at the back of a closet or in the attic. Our technicians look for it on site in Granby, in Sherbrooke, in Magog and in Farnham.
Sources consulted for this fact sheet, checked on October 13, 2026: Grand dictionnaire terminologique, varied carpet beetle (in French) · Gouvernement du Québec, preventive control of insects (in French) · Canadian Conservation Institute, controlling insect pests with low temperature · UC IPM, carpet beetles · Ohio State University Extension, carpet beetles · Penn State Extension, carpet beetle dermatitis.
Photo: dariolopresti, Canva.
React quickly, sleep well.
The sooner you spot the larvae, the less your woollens and carpets suffer.