If you’ve spotted tiny beetles or odd little bald patches on your furniture, clothes or carpets, chances are you’re dealing with furniture carpet beetles. These pests are small, quiet, and destructive—and once they’re in, they don’t plan on leaving on their own. But don’t worry. If you take the right steps, you can get rid of them and stop them from coming back.

Let’s walk through everything you need to know, in plain English, so you can deal with the problem properly.

What do furniture carpet beetles look like?

Before you start getting rid of them, you need to know what you’re looking for. Furniture carpet beetles are tiny. Most are about 2 to 4 millimetres long. They’ve got a round, dome-shaped body that looks almost like a ladybird at a glance. The colours are different though—they’re usually mottled with black, white, and yellow or brown patches.

It’s the larvae that cause the most damage, though. These look more like tiny, hairy caterpillars. They’re brownish, and they’ve got short bristles all over them. You might see them crawling along the edge of a rug or under a cushion. Sometimes, you only notice the damage they’ve done before you even spot one of them.

How do furniture carpet beetles get inside?

They’re sneaky. You might bring them in without knowing—on second-hand furniture, on old clothes, or even in a bunch of flowers. They can also fly in through open windows or gaps in the doors. Once inside, they’ll look for dark, quiet spots to lay their eggs.

That might be under a sofa, inside a wardrobe, behind a chest of drawers or even inside air vents. They love places you don’t clean too often. And once they find somewhere, they’ll settle in fast.

What do furniture carpet beetles eat?

The adults don’t do much damage—they eat pollen and plant stuff. But the larvae are the ones you need to worry about. They feed on natural fibres like wool, leather, silk, feathers and even pet hair. That’s why your upholstery, cushions, rugs and jumpers might start looking patchy or worn in places you didn’t touch.

If you’ve got things made from synthetic fibres, you might think you’re safe—but you’re not completely. The larvae will still have a go if the material is mixed with natural fibres, or if there’s food or oil trapped in the fabric.

How do you know if you’ve got a problem?

You might see:

• Bald patches or worn spots on your sofa, armchair or carpet.
• Shed skins or droppings that look like tiny grains of sand.
• Larvae crawling near baseboards, under furniture or along edges of fabric.
• Adult beetles around windows, lights or on curtains.

Sometimes, it’s hard to spot straight away. You might just think your furniture’s wearing out. But if you’re seeing new damage in places that don’t get used much, it’s worth checking properly.

Can you get rid of furniture carpet beetles on your own?

Yes, you can—but you’ll need to be thorough. One quick clean won’t be enough. You’ve got to tackle every stage of their life cycle and stop them from laying more eggs. If you miss a spot, the problem will come back. That’s why it’s best to take it room by room and deal with every area they might be hiding in.

What’s the first thing you should do?

Start with a deep clean. You’ll want to remove as much of the infestation as possible before you do anything else.

Here’s how:

1. Vacuum everything—rugs, carpets, under cushions, around skirting boards, and inside wardrobes or drawers. Use the crevice tool to get into corners and seams.
2. Empty the vacuum straight after—outside. Don’t leave it sitting in the bin inside, or the beetles might crawl back out.
3. Wash what you can—clothes, cushion covers, throws and other washable fabrics should go in the washing machine on the hottest setting that won’t ruin them.
4. Steam clean if possible—if you’ve got access to a steamer, go over your sofa, carpets and curtains. The heat kills off eggs and larvae that vacuuming might miss.

What about the furniture you can’t wash?

If you’ve got furniture that can’t go in the wash, you’ve still got options.

• Vacuum thoroughly, especially in seams, zips, folds and under cushions.
• Use insecticidal sprays or powders made for carpet beetles. Always check they’re safe for the material you’re using them on.
• Cover and seal the furniture if it’s badly infested and you can’t treat it straight away. Use thick plastic sheeting to trap any beetles inside. This can help stop them spreading to other areas.

Do natural remedies work?

Some natural methods can help, especially for keeping them away once you’ve cleaned up. But on their own, they’re not enough for a serious infestation.

You can try:

• Cedarwood: Furniture carpet beetles hate the smell. You can use cedar blocks or oil in drawers and wardrobes.
• Lavender and clove: These smells can help repel them. Try sachets or essential oils in places you store clothes or fabrics.
• Diatomaceous earth: This powder kills insects by drying them out. It’s safe to use around the home, but it needs to stay dry to work.

Again, these are more useful as prevention rather than a full-on treatment.

How do you stop carpet beetles coming back?

Once you’ve cleared them out, you don’t want to go through all that again. So, it’s all about prevention.

• Vacuum regularly, especially under and behind furniture.
• Wash clothes before storing them, and keep them in airtight containers or bags.
• Keep storage areas dry and clean—carpet beetles love dark, damp places.
• Check second-hand items before bringing them in—whether it’s a jumper from a charity shop or a vintage armchair, always inspect it first.
• Use mothballs, cedarwood or lavender in wardrobes and drawers if you’ve had issues before.

Should you replace carpet beetle infested furniture?

Not always. If the damage is minor and you’ve treated it well, you can usually keep the furniture. Just make sure you’ve dealt with every part of the infestation.

But if you’ve tried everything and the beetles keep coming back—or if the item’s badly damaged—it might be time to let it go. Especially if it’s a soft piece like a cushion or pouffe that’s hard to clean properly inside.

When should you call in a professional?

If you’ve followed all the steps and the problem still isn’t going away, it might be time to get some help. Professional pest control companies can treat the entire house and use stronger treatments that aren’t available to the public.

You should also call someone if:

• You’re seeing beetles in more than one room.
• You’ve cleaned and treated everything but they keep coming back.
• You’re not sure where the source of the infestation is.

A good pest control technician will help find where they’re coming from and give you a proper plan to sort it out.

Can furniture carpet beetles harm your health?

They don’t bite, and they don’t carry disease, but they can still cause some problems. Some people get allergic reactions to the hairs on the larvae—itchy skin, rashes, or breathing issues if there’s a heavy infestation. If you’ve got pets, the larvae can get into their beds or blankets too.

That’s why it’s always best to act quickly. The longer they’re in your home, the more they spread.

Final thoughts: stay on top of it

Getting rid of carpet beetles isn’t something you do once and forget about. You’ve got to stay on top of cleaning and storage, especially if you’ve had them before. Keep an eye on your soft furnishings, and trust your instincts—if something looks off, check it out.

By following these steps and staying consistent, you can keep your furniture and clothes safe from damage — and stop the beetles from making your home theirs.