Though they may not appear to be much of a threat, tiny carpet beetles can destroy your carpet, clothing, and fabrics. Carpet beetles are particularly problematic in the summertime, when they are active. In addition to eating fabric, carpet beetles can contaminate pet food and your food -- so use the tips below to remove the beetles from your home before they have a chance to cause major problems.

Find the Carpet Beetle Source

An important part of ridding your home of carpet beetles is finding where the scavengers are coming from. Though you may frequently find the beetles traveling on the floors and walls of certain rooms in your home, the infestation may be in another area.

To find the source of the beetle infestation, look for beetle skins and feces.

These insects love fabric, and they love pet hair, too. They also enjoy dark areas where they have cover and protection from predators. So start by checking carpeted areas near furniture -- especially those where pets often reside. Next, check in closets and other dark areas.

Treat the Interior of Your House

Once you've found the source of the carpet beetle infestation, it's time to treat the area. Vacuum the carpet carefully, cleaning each section repeatedly. Take your time, and make sure you get every inch of carpet. Use a vacuum attachment to clean carpet grooves near baseboards and walls, which are excellent places for the beetles to hide. Also, clean and vacuum your couches.

Next, wash all the loose fabric items in your house -- including clothing, towels, and sheets -- in hot water. Do not use cold water, as it may not kill the well-adapted beetles. Place clean fabric items in sealed bags to protect them while treating the infestation.

Continue vacuuming your carpet daily to remove any remaining beetles.

Treat the Exterior of Your House

With the interior of your house treated, it's now time to focus on the exterior. Carpet beetles love to lay eggs in bird nests, so search the exterior of your house and any plants in your yard for bird nests -- and remove all nests that you find.

Finally, spray insecticide around the foundation of your house to form a barrier that will keep carpet beetles out. Thoroughly spray doors, windows, and other openings where the insects can enter your home.

If treating the interior and exterior of your house doesn't stop the infestation, call an expert like one from Aloha Termite Kauai Inc who has experience with exterminating carpet beetles.