You probably don’t think much about what’s going on in your closet. But if carpet beetles have made their way inside, they could be quietly causing severe damage. These tiny critters are more than a minor problem. They can ruin clothing, contaminate linens, and be hard to get rid of without help from pest control professionals.
If you live in Olympia and want to know what to watch for, here’s what makes carpet beetles a hidden threat in local closets—and what to do when you see the signs.
Key Takeaways
- Carpet beetles can ruin natural fiber clothing and bedding stored in Olympia closets before you even notice them.
- Pet hair, dead insects, and hidden food sources help carpet beetle larvae spread quickly in closets and storage spaces.
- Small crevices, baseboards, garages, and attics give carpet beetles quiet places to hide and grow into larger infestations.
- Pest control professionals use inspections, treatments, cleaning plans, and follow-up care to get rid of carpet beetles.
Natural Fiber Clothing Gets Eaten Fast
Carpet beetle larvae feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, and feathers.
If you’ve got winter clothes packed away in your Olympia home, they’re at risk. By the time you take that wool coat out again, you might find holes or thin, worn-out spots. These pests often stay hidden until the damage is done.
Linens and Bedding Get Contaminated
Carpet beetles don’t stop at clothing. They often crawl into storage boxes or shelves with extra linens, blankets, or sheets. Their larvae leave behind shed skins and waste, which can make these items unsafe or unusable.
In Olympia, many homeowners store these items to stay dry, but that can also give them an ideal place to settle.
Pet Hair and Dead Insects Are Food
Homes with pets need to be extra careful.
Carpet beetles love to eat pet hair that collects in closets, along baseboards, and under furniture. They also eat dead insects that build up in out-of-the-way spots like garages or windowsills. These food sources help them grow and spread quickly.
They Hide in Baseboards and Small Crevices
Some Olympia homes, especially older ones, have baseboards or woodwork with tiny gaps. These crevices are the perfect place for carpet beetle larvae to hide.
They often lay eggs where you won’t see them, and the infestation can grow without being noticed until it’s a much bigger problem.
They Can Move In From Garages and Attics
If you use your attic or garage for storage, you may be giving carpet beetles easy access to your closets. Once inside, they can spread to your upholstered furniture, linens, and even synthetic fibers.
In Thurston County, where many homes have attached garages or upstairs storage, this is a common issue.
What to Do When You Spot Signs of Carpet Beetles in Olympia
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When you notice signs of a carpet beetle infestation in your Olympia home, it’s essential to act quickly. Here’s what you can do to get ahead of the problem:
Get a Pest Control Inspection
The first step is to call for a professional inspection.
At PCI Pest Control, our Olympia-based team knows what signs to look for—from adult carpet beetles to shed skins and hidden larvae. We inspect your closets, baseboards, and other storage areas to create a personalized plan that fits your home and needs.
Use Expert Pest Control Treatments
DIY solutions like sprays or traps might kill a few bugs, but they won’t solve a carpet beetle infestation. Our control services use expert tools and techniques to reach deep into walls, crevices, and furniture.
Whether you’re dealing with stored food, natural fibers, or synthetic materials, our treatments are designed to be safe and effective.
Deep Clean Affected Areas
After treatment, it’s time to clean.
You’ll want to wash any washable fabrics with hot water and follow up with dry-cleaning for delicate items. Vacuuming baseboards, closets, and windowsills helps remove pet hair, food sources, and larvae.
Your technician can recommend which areas to focus on based on where the infestation was found.
Keep Watch to Stay Pest-Free
Once your home is treated, it’s essential to stay alert. We can help Olympia homeowners with long-term pest management by offering follow-up inspections and giving advice on how to store linens and clothes safely.
Keeping your home pest-free is easier when you know how to stop critters from coming back.
Get Rid of Carpet Beetles the Smart Way
If you’ve found signs of carpet beetles—like shed skins, larvae, or damage to clothes or linens—it’s time to act. Ignoring the problem will only give them more time to spread and cause significant damage.
Even when you’re in nearby cities like Tacoma and Seattle, call us today to schedule your inspection and get expert help to take back your closets, for good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can carpet beetles fly into my house?
Yes, adult carpet beetles can fly. In warmer weather, they often enter through open doors, windows, or attic vents while looking for food, light, or shelter inside your home.
Are carpet beetles more common in certain seasons?
Carpet beetle activity usually increases in spring and early summer. That’s when adults are most active, looking for places to lay eggs, which often leads to new infestations indoors.
Can carpet beetles live in mattresses or beds?
While not common, carpet beetles can live in mattresses if there are natural fibers or pet hair present. They’re more likely to settle in nearby furniture, rugs, or stored bedding.
to walk you through your pest control plan.
