Home Pest Control: How to Get Rid of Carpet Bugs

Why Carpet Bugs Are a Bigger Problem Than You Think

Carpet bugs—also known as carpet beetles—are one of the most frustrating household pests. They often go unnoticed until damage is done to your carpets, upholstery, and even clothing. If you want to know how to get rid of carpet bugs, the sooner you act, the better.

Unlike bed bugs, carpet bugs feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, and leather. They can destroy valuable items before you're even aware of their presence.

That’s why learning how to get rid of carpet bugs effectively requires a full understanding of their habits and life cycle.

Many homeowners confuse carpet bugs with moths or fleas, but the treatment for each is different. Misidentification can lead to ineffective solutions and recurring infestations.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to get rid of carpet bugs in 15 actionable sections, giving you the tools to eliminate them—and keep them gone.

Identifying Carpet Bugs in Your Home

Before you figure out how to get rid of carpet bugs, you need to confirm what you’re dealing with.

Gregory Pest Solutions says, “Carpet beetles are a group of small, oval-shaped beetles that feast on animal based fabrics and textiles such as wool, silk, fur and leather.” 

These pests are most often found near baseboards, under furniture, in closets, or along window sills.

You may also find shed larval skins or holes in natural-fiber materials.

Understanding how to get rid of carpet bugs starts with recognizing both adult beetles and larvae. Both forms cause different types of damage.

If you’re not sure what pest you’re dealing with, consider capturing a sample and comparing it to online images or consulting a pest control expert.

Cleaning Is the First Line of Defense - How to Get Rid of Carpet Bugs

The most important step in how to get rid of carpet bugs is a deep, thorough cleaning.

Carpet bugs thrive in dusty, undisturbed areas where they can feed on hair, dead skin cells, and natural fibers.

Vacuum all carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, baseboards, and corners—especially where pet hair or dust collects. Empty your vacuum bag immediately in a sealed trash bag and take it outside.

Pay special attention to closets, under beds, and storage areas. Carpet bugs often lay eggs in dark, quiet places where you rarely clean.

By reducing their food sources and habitat, you immediately start to disrupt their life cycle and improve your chances of getting rid of carpet bugs for good.

Wash Fabrics and Linens on High Heat

If you're wondering how to get rid of carpet bugs that have made their way into your bedding, clothing, or curtains, washing is essential. Use hot water and dry on the highest heat setting.

Carpet bug larvae can survive a regular wash cycle, but they can’t withstand sustained heat.

That’s why heat is your best friend when trying to eliminate these pests.

Be sure to clean everything—not just visibly infested items. Include storage bins, drawer linings, and seasonal clothing, which are common hiding places for carpet bugs.

Treating fabrics thoroughly is an indispensable step in any plan for how to get rid of carpet bugs effectively.

Use Insecticides and Sprays Strategically

Once the area is clean, it’s time to apply insecticides designed for carpet beetles. Look for formulas containing ingredients like permethrin, deltamethrin, or boric acid.

Target areas where carpet bugs are likely to crawl or hide—edges of carpets, cracks in floorboards, behind baseboards, and under furniture. Always follow safety instructions and keep pets and children away until the treatment dries.

Spot-spray areas like closets, attic insulation, or fabric storage zones. This will kill any remaining larvae or eggs.

Proper chemical application is a critical step in how to get rid of carpet bugs and ensure they don’t come back.

Seal Cracks, Vents, and Entry Points

To truly master how to get rid of carpet bugs, you need to prevent them from coming in at all. Carpet beetles can enter your home through tiny cracks, windows, door frames, and even attic vents.

Seal all potential entry points using caulk, weatherstripping, or mesh screens. Pay attention to window screens, attic openings, and areas where utility lines enter your home.

These pests can also enter through flower arrangements, used furniture, or secondhand fabrics. Always inspect such items before bringing them inside.

Prevention is half the battle when learning how to get rid of carpet bugs—and it starts with blocking access.

Eliminate Animal-Based Items from Storage

Carpet bugs love natural materials like feathers, fur, wool, and silk. That makes closets, storage bins, and seasonal boxes prime targets for infestation.

Store these materials in airtight containers or plastic garment bags. If possible, keep them in climate-controlled areas rather than garages or attics.

Remove any old items you no longer use, such as vintage coats, wool blankets, or decorative feathers. Decluttering reduces hiding places and feeding options.

Protecting your storage areas is essential when figuring out how to get rid of carpet bugs, especially if you've dealt with infestations before.

Steam Treatment for Deep Sanitation

A steam cleaner is one of the best tools for deep sanitation. High-temperature steam penetrates carpets, upholstery, and even baseboards to kill bugs and their eggs on contact.

Focus on high-risk zones like under furniture, inside closets, and behind curtains. Steam is particularly helpful if you want to know how to get rid of carpet bugs without using harsh chemicals.

Use a commercial-grade steamer for the best results. Household garment steamers usually don’t get hot enough to kill larvae and eggs effectively.

When paired with vacuuming and laundering, steam can greatly increase your success in eliminating carpet bugs.

Replace or Clean Infested Items

In severe cases, you may need to part with items that are heavily infested. If you're wondering how to get rid of carpet bugs in furniture or decor, sometimes replacement is the only option.

Carpet bug larvae can burrow into fabric, wood, and stuffing. Infested items often harbor eggs deep within, making them difficult to treat effectively.

Consider cleaning items professionally if replacement isn’t practical. Some pest control companies offer fabric-safe treatment options.

Knowing when to discard or sanitize is a necessary decision in your overall plan to get rid of carpet bugs completely.

Monitor with Traps and Sticky Pads

After initial treatment, it’s time to monitor for any signs of lingering pests. Use sticky traps or pheromone traps in key locations to detect whether carpet bugs are still active.

Place traps near windows, closets, and baseboards—common paths for carpet bugs. Monitor them weekly to track progress.

This step will not only help you confirm that you’re succeeding in how to get rid of carpet bugs but also alert you early if a re-infestation occurs.

Regular monitoring keeps your home under control and prevents surprises down the road.

Focus on Window Sills and Light Sources

Many homeowners overlook window sills, drapes, and lighting fixtures when learning how to get rid of carpet bugs. These areas attract adult carpet beetles due to their tendency to fly toward light.

Check your window screens for holes and clean sills regularly. Vacuum any dead bugs, droppings, or eggs that collect around windows.

This step supports your larger effort in how to get rid of carpet bugs across the entire home.

Pay attention to blinds, curtains, and window treatments made of natural fibers.

These can be prime feeding grounds for larvae and often go unchecked for weeks or months.

Thorough cleaning and sealing of light-access points helps break the infestation cycle and supports long-term prevention.

Address Attics, Basements, and Storage Rooms

Dark, undisturbed areas like attics and basements are ideal breeding grounds for carpet bugs.

These environments often house stored fabrics, cardboard boxes, and dead insects—all of which carpet bugs feed on.

To figure out how to get rid of carpet bugs completely, you must inspect and treat these lesser-visited spaces. Vacuum regularly and use dehumidifiers to keep moisture levels low.

Avoid using cardboard boxes for long-term storage. Instead, switch to plastic bins with tightly fitting lids. This alone reduces the risk of re-infestation.

If you store seasonal clothing or textiles in these areas, seal them in airtight containers and inspect them often.

Understand the Carpet Bug Life Cycle

To truly master how to get rid of carpet bugs, you need to understand their life cycle.

Carpet beetles go through four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Each stage requires different treatment approaches.

The larvae do the most damage—they feed for weeks or months before pupating. Adults may not feed on fabrics but are responsible for laying eggs in hidden places.

Knowing the timeline of these stages helps you plan your follow-up treatments and inspections. Regular cleaning disrupts the life cycle and reduces future outbreaks.

Once you grasp how the infestation develops, it becomes much easier to know how to get rid of carpet bugs at each stage of development.

Reapply Treatments and Stay Consistent

A one-time cleaning or spraying isn’t enough. To effectively learn how to get rid of carpet bugs, you must repeat treatments every few weeks—especially if you're still spotting adult beetles or larvae.

Vacuuming, steaming, spraying, and laundering should be scheduled as part of a three-to-six-week treatment cycle. This ensures you're targeting new hatchlings that may have survived the initial round.

Mark your calendar and don’t skip follow-ups. Consistency is what separates temporary relief from permanent success.

Tracking your efforts ensures you're not wasting time or resources and gives you confidence that you know how to get rid of carpet bugs properly.

Commit to a Pest-Free Lifestyle

Getting rid of carpet bugs isn’t a one-day task—it’s a process that involves awareness, cleaning, prevention, and monitoring. But once you learn how to get rid of carpet bugs, maintaining a bug-free home becomes much easier.

Your success hinges on vigilance. Regular inspections, seasonal maintenance, and mindful storage habits all play a role in keeping your home pest-free.

Don’t wait until damage becomes obvious. Start with small, consistent steps, and apply what you’ve learned in this guide to build a long-term defense.

Now that you know how to get rid of carpet bugs, you're one step closer to protecting your home, health, and belongings from unnecessary harm.

Say Goodbye to Carpet Bugs with Liquid Death Solutions

Still seeing signs of infestation? Don’t let carpet bugs take over your home. 

Liquid Death Solutions offers powerful, science-backed pest control kits that help you treat, prevent, and eliminate carpet bugs fast—without hiring a professional.

Whether you're dealing with larvae in your rug or adult beetles near your windows, our DIY kits are designed for total home protection. 

Ready to reclaim your space? Visit Liquid Death Solutions today and get everything you need to stop carpet bugs in their tracks.