Quick facts
- Common species
- Varied carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci) and fur beetle (Attagenus species)
- Adult size
- About 2 to 4 mm, rounded, with mottled brown, cream and black patterning
- Larvae
- Small, hairy and brown, often called 'woolly bears'
- Eats
- Wool, fur, feathers, silk, dried food and animal-based fibres
- Hidden in
- Under furniture, in wardrobes, in lofts, and in old nests of birds or wasps
How to identify carpet beetles
The adults are small and round and often seen on windowsills in spring and summer, as they fly towards the light and feed on pollen outdoors. The damage is caused by the larvae, which are tiny, bristly, striped and move slowly. They avoid light and live in dusty, undisturbed places.
Carpet beetle larvae are often confused with bed bugs because they appear in bedrooms and can cause itchy skin reactions. The key difference is that carpet beetle larvae are hairy and feed on fabrics, not blood.
Signs of carpet beetles in your home
- Small irregular holes in woollen clothes, rugs, carpets, throws and upholstery
- Shed larval skins, which look like tiny brown husks, in drawers and cupboards
- Live larvae or adult beetles on windowsills
- Damage along carpet edges and under furniture
- Unexplained itchy skin or irritation, caused by hairs from larvae in bedding or clothing
Risks and damage
Carpet beetles do not spread disease but can ruin clothing, carpets, taxidermy and stored items, and bristles on larvae can irritate skin. Infestations can start in a bird's nest in a loft or chimney and spread to the rooms below.
Why carpet beetles come into properties
Adults enter through windows, vents and gaps in spring and lay eggs in warm, undisturbed places where there is food such as hair, lint, dead insects and natural fibres.
How to prevent carpet beetles
- Vacuum carpets, edges and under furniture regularly, and clear lint and pet hair
- Store wool and silk in sealed containers and wash before storing
- Check lofts and chimneys for old bird nests and wasp nests, and clear them
- Fit fly screens on windows during the adult season
- Inspect second-hand rugs, furniture and fur items
Professional carpet beetle treatment by Southwark Pests
Treatment involves finding the source, a thorough clean, laundering or freezing susceptible items, and a targeted insecticide treatment of carpets, edges and voids. Pheromone traps can help confirm species and monitor activity. Hot washing at the highest temperature the fabric allows kills all stages.
When to call a professional
Call a professional if holes keep appearing in fabrics, if you see larvae or beetles regularly, or if you cannot find the source.
Carpet beetle treatment across Southwark and London
Carpet beetles are common in South London's older houses, where fitted carpets, bird nests in the eaves and wool rugs give the larvae plenty to eat. We cover South London, Central London (the City, the West End and Westminster), East London out to Stratford and Newham, and nearby parts of Kent, from our base at South Dock Marina in SE16. A standard visit is £90, and you can book online or call 020 8050 2022.
- Southwark
- Bermondsey
- Peckham
- Camberwell
- Rotherhithe
- Lambeth
- Brixton
- Lewisham
- Greenwich
- Bromley
- Bexley
- Kent
- Central London
- City of London
- Westminster
- East London
- Tower Hamlets
- Hackney
- Newham
- All areas
Carpet beetle treatment: questions and answers
Are carpet beetles dangerous?
Not to health, though larval hairs can irritate skin. The main damage is to fabrics and carpets.
How do I tell them from bed bugs?
Carpet beetle larvae are hairy and slow, and the adults are patterned beetles. Bed bugs are flat, reddish-brown and bite at night.
Where do they come from?
Often from outdoors, from birds' nests or from second-hand items.
Does freezing work?
Freezing items for a few days can kill them. Hot washing is also effective.
Do they eat cotton?
Mostly animal-based fibres, though they may damage cotton if soiled with food or sweat.
How do I prevent them returning?
Regular cleaning, careful storage, and dealing with any nests or dead insects in the loft and walls.
Related pages
This page is general information, last reviewed on 19 October 2026. It is not a substitute for an on-site inspection.