The essentials in 30 seconds
The most common species in British homes is the varied carpet beetle: a small, round beetle about 1.5–3.5 mm long with a mottled pattern of white, orange and black scales, often seen on windowsills in spring and summer. The adults feed on pollen outdoors; the damage comes from the larvae, nicknamed woolly bears because they are covered in hairs. They eat wool, fur, feathers, silk and leather, plus fluff and dead insects. To get rid of them: find the source, vacuum thoroughly, wash or dry-clean what you can, freeze delicate items in a sealed bag and remove old birds' nests from the roof or loft.
- Look for small holes without webbing and empty, bristly larval skins.
- Store clean woollens in sealed plastic bags or boxes.
- A few adults on a window are a clue to check nearby rugs, wardrobes and the loft.
How to recognise carpet beetles and their larvae
| Species | Adult | Larva |
|---|---|---|
| Varied carpet beetle | Round, 1.5–3.5 mm, mottled white, orange and black scales | 4–4.5 mm, hairy, with light and dark brown bands |
| Two-spot carpet beetle (fur beetle) | 4.5–6 mm | Up to 6.5 mm |
| Brown carpet beetle | 2–5 mm | Up to 8 mm |
Adults look like tiny ladybirds in shape. When a varied carpet beetle larva is disturbed, it raises its tufts of hair into a little plume. Adults are drawn to light, which is why you find them on window panes, sills and curtains.
Signs of carpet beetles at home
- Adults on windowsills, mostly in spring and early summer.
- Holes or bare patches in wool carpets, rugs, clothes, blankets and upholstery.
- Cast skins: empty, brown, bristly larval skins near the damage. They are often the first sign.
- Frass: tiny pellets of droppings under or near the item.
- Damage in dark, undisturbed places: under furniture, along carpet edges, in folds and seams.
Carpet beetles or clothes moths
Both larvae eat the same animal fibres, so damage alone can be hard to read. These clues help:
| Clue | Carpet beetles | Clothes moths |
|---|---|---|
| Webbing | None | Silken tubes or webbing on the fabric |
| Damage pattern | Often one larger damaged area | Scattered holes |
| What you find | Hairy cast skins, small round beetles | Small pale moths that avoid light |
| Adults seen | On windows and sills | In wardrobes and dark corners |
The treatment is very similar for both. If you find webbing and small pale moths, read our guide to clothes moths and pantry moths.
Where carpet beetles come from
Outdoors, the beetles breed in birds' nests, wasp nests and spider webs, where there are feathers, dead insects and other debris. Adults also come in through open windows and on cut flowers. Indoors, the larvae live on lint, hair, fluff and dead insects, and on fabrics with food or sweat stains. Check these places with a torch:
- Wool carpets and rugs, especially edges and under furniture.
- Wardrobes and drawers with wool, cashmere, silk or fur stored for a long time.
- Feather pillows, duvets and cushions.
- The loft, eaves and chimney, if birds have nested there.
- Window frames and light fittings where dead insects collect.
- Fluff in airing cupboards, under radiators and behind skirting boards.
How to get rid of carpet beetles step by step
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01
Find the infested items
Follow the cast skins and damage. Treating the source is what makes the difference.
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02
Vacuum thoroughly
Carpets, rugs, edges, under furniture, upholstery, wardrobes and drawers. Throw the bag or empty the bin outside straight away.
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03
Wash or dry-clean
Hot-water washing or dry cleaning kills every stage. Wash clothes, blankets and covers that can take it.
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04
Freeze delicate items
Seal them in a plastic bag and put them in a freezer at −18 °C. The Natural History Museum suggests a day or two at that temperature; University of California guidance suggests two weeks below −8 °C, so a longer stay is the safe choice. Let items return to room temperature inside the bag.
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05
Throw away badly damaged items
In a sealed bag, straight to the outside bin.
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06
Remove birds' nests
Old nests in the roof or loft are a common source. Remove and destroy them once they are no longer in use, and close the gaps birds use.
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07
Clean the room
Wipe shelves and drawers, and clear dead insects from windows and light fittings.
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08
Store things well
Put clean woollens in sealed plastic bags or airtight boxes.
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09
Monitor
Sticky traps on windowsills catch adults and show whether they are still around.
How to keep carpet beetles away
- Vacuum regularly, including under furniture and along skirting boards.
- Store woollens clean: food and sweat stains attract the larvae.
- Use sealed bags or boxes for wool, silk, fur and feathers.
- Check stored items every few months.
- Keep the loft clear of old nests and dead insects.
- Check cut flowers and second-hand rugs before bringing them in.
When to call pest control
- Larvae keep appearing after several weeks of cleaning.
- Valuable rugs, upholstery, furs or collections are affected.
- Stuffed furniture, mattresses or pillows are infested and cannot be washed or frozen.
- The source seems to be in the loft, wall voids or under floors.
Carpet beetles: frequently asked questions
What do carpet beetles look like?
Small, round beetles about 1.5–3.5 mm long, mottled white, orange and black. The larvae are small, hairy and banded brown.
What are woolly bears?
The larvae of carpet beetles, named after the hairs that cover their bodies. They are the stage that damages fabrics.
Do carpet beetles bite?
No. Some people get an itchy rash from the larval hairs, which looks like bites but is an allergic reaction.
What kills carpet beetle larvae?
Hot washing, dry cleaning or freezing in a sealed bag, plus thorough vacuuming of the area.
Where do carpet beetles come from?
Often from birds' nests in the roof, from outdoors through open windows, or from fluff and dead insects indoors.
Why do I see carpet beetles on my windowsill?
Adults are drawn to light. Check rugs, wardrobes and the loft nearby for larvae.
Sources
Official, museum and university guidance, checked on 25 October 2026.
- Natural History Museum · Carpet beetles identification guide ↗Species, sizes, woolly bears, larvae as the damaging stage, vacuuming, birds' nests, freezing at −18 °C and storing woollens.
- University of California IPM · Carpet beetles ↗What larvae eat, sources, telling damage apart from clothes moths, washing, dry cleaning, freezing, sticky traps and insecticide use.
- Penn State Extension · Carpet beetle dermatitis ↗Skin reactions to larval hairs and finding the source.
- CDC · Emerging Infectious Diseases: Anthrenus sp. and an uncommon cluster of dermatitis ↗Rash from larval hairs that mimics bites, mostly under clothing.
- US EPA · Dos and don'ts of pest control ↗Safe use of insecticides at home.
Still finding woolly bears?
Note where the cast skins and damage appear and check the loft for old nests before calling pest control.