How do carpet beetles enter homes?

Carpet beetles can sneak into homes through various ways, making use of small openings and hitchhiking on items. These tiny bugs, usually less than 1/4 inch in size, can easily slip through gaps around doors, windows, and utility openings. They're also attracted to light, so open windows and doors, especially during spring and summer, can be an entry point. Adult carpet beetles are strong fliers and might enter homes looking for food sources and spots to lay eggs.

Another common way carpet beetles get into homes is by hitching a ride on items brought inside. They can come in on cut flowers, plants, second-hand furniture, clothing, and luggage. Once indoors, they look for dark, undisturbed areas to lay their eggs, typically near food sources for their larvae.

Infestations often start unnoticed, as carpet beetles prefer hidden, secluded spots. Regular cleaning, sealing entry points, and checking items before bringing them inside can help keep carpet beetles from settling in.

Where do carpet beetles hide?

Carpet beetles are pretty good at finding hidden, out-of-the-way spots in homes where they can thrive without being noticed. They usually hide in dark, quiet places, often out of sight and hard to detect. Common hiding spots for carpet beetles include under furniture, especially in corners and along the edges of carpets and rugs. You'll also find them in cracks and crevices of floors, baseboards, and behind moldings.

Since carpet beetles are attracted to natural fibers, they often infest closets and drawers where wool, silk, fur, and other animal-based materials are stored. They like to hide in folds of clothing, inside stored blankets, and in the seams of upholstered furniture. Attics and basements, which don't get cleaned as often, also provide perfect environments for carpet beetles to hide and lay eggs.

Besides fabrics and carpets, carpet beetles can be found in less obvious places like air ducts, where lint and dust build-up, and behind electrical outlets or light fixtures. They might also hide in bird nests, pet bedding, and stored dry goods like cereals and grains. Regular cleaning, thorough vacuuming, and checking these potential hiding spots can help identify and control carpet beetle infestations, preventing damage to your stuff. Our professional pest control services can also help identify and eliminate any hidden infestations in your home.