Before making insecticide treatments for carpet beetles, the premises should be thoroughly vacuumed. Furniture should also be thoroughly cleaned before treatment to avoid staining the upholstery. Cracks and crevices can be treated with an insecticidal dust such as diatomaceous earth or silica aerogel. These dusts may also be applied at the edge of carpeting near the baseboards in infested rooms. Spot treatment of rugs may be made with residual sprays.
Emulsifiable concentrates are the best formulations for treatment of carpets and rugs.
Some extreme cases may require fumigation with methyl bromide or sulfuryl fluoride gas. Fumigation offers elimination of current infestation but no residual protection is provided, allowing for reinfestation. Paradichlorobenzene has been shown to slightly inhibit feeding but is not an effective repellent. Insect Management Guide for carpet beetles Selected References Bry, R.E., J.H. Lang, and R.E. Boatright. Robinson, W.H. 1996.