Beetles: Identification & Control Guide By the Clark Pest Entomology Team | Last Updated: December 3, 2025 Key Takeaways Household Beetles generally fall into three categories: Fabric Pests (Carpet Beetles eat wool/rugs), Pantry Pests (Weevils eat flour/grain), and Wood Borers (Powderpost Beetles eat furniture). Identifying the food source is the first step to elimination. Most infestations require finding and removing the contaminated item, not just spraying. Quick answer: Finding a beetle in your home can be alarming. Is it eating your rug? Your cereal? Or your antique furniture? Use the visual grid below to identify the specific beetle you are dealing with, or scroll down for our detailed prevention guide.
Quick Navigation Visual ID: Adult vs. LarvaThe 3 Types of Beetle PestsWatch: Carpet Beetle IDFrequently Asked QuestionsVisual ID: Is it a Beetle or a "Worm"?Many homeowners are confused when they find fuzzy "worms" in their closet or pantry. These are actually Beetle Larvae. They do the damage, while the adults just fly to windows.The Adult: Small, round, and mottled. They fly toward light/windows. Harmless to fabrics, but they lay the eggs.Photo: Sarefo (CC BY-SA 3.0)The Larva (The Destroyer): Looks like a fuzzy worm or "woolly bear." This stage eats your rugs, wool, and sweaters.Photo: Clemson Univ - USDA (Public Domain)Know Your Enemy: 3 Categories of Beetles1. Fabric PestsCarpet Beetles. They feed on keratin found in natural fibers (wool, silk, fur, feathers) and pet hair. They can leave bald spots in rugs and holes in sweaters. Risk: Property Damage.2. Pantry PestsWeevils, Flour Beetles, Grain Beetles. They infest dried goods like flour, cereal, pasta, and spices. If you see them, the food source is usually contaminated with eggs and larvae. Risk: Food Contamination.3. Wood Destroying PestsPowderpost Beetles, Furniture Beetles. They bore into hardwoods, flooring, and furniture, leaving behind tiny exit holes and piles of fine, powdery sawdust (frass). Risk: Structural/Furniture Damage. Watch: Carpet Beetle IdentificationLearn how to spot the difference between a harmless outdoor beetle and a fabric-destroying pest. Video by UGA Extension.Video: UGA ExtensionClark's Expert Insight"The most common mistake people make with Pantry Beetles is throwing away only the one box where they saw the bugs. Beetles like Weevils and Flour Beetles can chew through cardboard and foil. You must inspect everything in the cabinet and move clean items to airtight glass or plastic containers."Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Do carpet beetles bite? ▶ No, they do not bite living humans or pets. However, the fuzzy hairs on the larvae can cause an allergic skin reaction in some people that looks and feels like a bug bite (often called "Carpet Beetle Dermatitis"). What are the tiny brown bugs in my flour? ▶ These are likely Flour Beetles or Weevils. They infest dried goods. Discard infested items immediately, vacuum the shelves carefully, and store all new grain products in sealed containers. How do I get rid of wood-boring beetles? ▶ Wood borers (like Powderpost Beetles) live deep inside the wood. Surface sprays often fail. Infested furniture may need to be removed or fumigated. If the infestation is in your home's structure, professional treatment is required. Why do I have beetles in my window sill? ▶ Adult Carpet Beetles are attracted to light. After they hatch and mate, they try to fly outside to feed on pollen. Finding them on window sills is often the first sign that you have a larvae infestation somewhere else in the room. Serving California and Northern NevadaWhether it's weevils in the pantry or carpet beetles in the closet, our local technicians can identify the source and stop the damage. Find your local Clark branch here. Get a Free Inspection