Carpet Beetles

 

Carpet beetles on fabric

Having problems with carpet beetles?

Carpet beetles are a common household pest, especially in properties with natural fabrics such as wool, silk, feathers, and leather. The adult beetles are often spotted near windows, but it’s the larvae (small, fuzzy, caterpillar-like insects) that cause the real damage to carpets, upholstery, and stored clothing.

If you’re seeing unexplained holes in fabrics, shed skins, or larvae around skirting boards, it’s best to act early — infestations can build quietly in hidden areas.

Professional Carpet Beetle Control Services in the UK

Carpet beetles are small insects, but their larvae can cause surprisingly expensive damage in homes and businesses. They feed on organic materials found in many everyday items — especially natural fibres — which makes carpets, rugs, upholstery, and stored clothing prime targets.

Why Carpet Beetles Are a Problem

Most people first notice carpet beetles when they see adult beetles near windows or lights. However, the real issue is often hidden: larvae tend to stay in dark, undisturbed areas (under furniture, in vents, behind skirting boards, and inside cupboards) while feeding and shedding skins.

What Carpet Beetle Larvae Eat

  • Wool, silk, felt, and other natural fibres
  • Feathers, fur, leather, and upholstery stuffing
  • Pet hair, lint build-up, and dead insects
  • Stored clothing, blankets, and rugs in cupboards/lofts

Common Places We Find Activity

  • Along skirting boards and carpet edges
  • Under sofas, beds, wardrobes, and heavy furniture
  • Inside air vents and floor voids where dust collects
  • In cupboards, storage boxes, and rarely disturbed rooms

Can You Treat Carpet Beetles Yourself?

Minor infestations can sometimes be reduced with thorough vacuuming, deep cleaning, and removing affected fabrics. The challenge is that larvae and eggs often sit in hidden areas you can’t easily reach — which is why many infestations return.

How We Help

Shire Pest Solutions provides a clear, practical approach to carpet beetle control:

  • Inspection: Identify likely harbourage areas and the cause of recurrence.
  • Treatment: Targeted insecticide application across all relevant floor and edge areas.
  • Advice: Straightforward prevention guidance to reduce the chance of re-infestation.

Prevention Advice That Works

  • Vacuum regularly — especially edges, vents, under furniture, and dark corners
  • Wash or dry-clean natural fibre items before long-term storage
  • Inspect second-hand furniture and textiles carefully before bringing indoors
  • Reduce dust and pet hair build-up, and keep storage areas ventilated

If you suspect carpet beetle activity (or you’re unsure what you’re seeing), get in touch — we’ll help you identify the problem and recommend the best next step.


Carpet Beetle Control FAQ

Look for small, irregular holes in natural fabrics like wool or silk, shed larval skins (often brown and bristly), and sightings of adult beetles near windows or light sources. You may also spot their larvae—tiny, fuzzy caterpillar-like insects—around skirting boards, under furniture, or in air vents.
Carpet beetles do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases. However, their bristly larvae can sometimes cause mild skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. The primary concern is the damage they cause to household fabrics and stored materials.
Larvae feed on organic materials such as wool, silk, feathers, fur, leather, and even pet hair or dead insects. Their diet makes them especially destructive to carpets, upholstery, and stored clothing made from natural fibres.
They can enter through open windows or doors, but more often hitch a ride on flowers, animal fur, second-hand furniture, or infested clothing. Once inside, they quickly settle into dark, undisturbed areas to lay eggs.
Minor infestations can sometimes be managed with deep cleaning, vacuuming, and removing contaminated fabrics. However, larger or recurring infestations often require professional treatment to fully eliminate larvae and prevent re-infestation.
Our standard treatment involves an insecticide spray applied to all floor areas and typically takes a few hours to complete. Re-entry times may vary depending on the treatment used, but we’ll always advise you clearly before and after the visit.
Regular vacuuming, especially in hidden areas, is key. Wash or dry-clean items before long-term storage, check second-hand items before bringing them indoors, and reduce dust and pet hair build-up throughout your home. Keeping your home clean and well-ventilated is the best long-term defence.

More About Shire Pest Solutions

Shire Pest Solutions is a trusted and local pest control company proudly serving homes and businesses across Oxfordshire and beyond. We have built our reputation on professionalism, reliability, and fast response times, specialising in the safe and effective removal of pests including ants, wasps, rodents, bed bugs, and more.

Our expert technicians hold full qualifications and use the latest tools and treatments to resolve pest problems quickly and safely—without unnecessary disruption. Whether you face a minor domestic issue or a large-scale commercial infestation, we design our services to meet your needs with minimal fuss and maximum effectiveness.

Based locally, we regularly assist customers in Didcot, Wallingford, Abingdon, Wantage, Witney, Newbury, Thame, Thatcham, and Stokenchurch. Our knowledge of the local area enables us to provide rapid call-outs and treatments that are suited to the unique pest challenges of each location.

At Shire Pest Solutions, we don’t just eliminate pests—we stop them from returning. We offer transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and we dedicate ourselves to customer satisfaction, making us the go-to pest control provider for homeowners, landlords, and commercial clients alike.

Contact us today to arrange a call-out or find out more about our pest control services across Oxfordshire and surrounding areas.