While they’re not as ubiquitous a nuisance as ants, wasps or bees, carpet beetles are a prevalent pest that, much like bed bugs, can find their way into your home via furniture and belongings.

These flying insects can also enter the home through an open door or window. They soon plant their lava in thick fabrics – particularly in carpet fibres, hence the name – and are difficult to get rid of without the help of a pest controller.

Carpet beetles are between 1/8th and 3/16th of an inch in size, and their larva look like tiny caterpillars. Should you find that you have an infestation, look for the beetle’s faecal pellets, as these will likely indicate where the beetles are breeding.

Clean and vacuum your carpet regularly. As nauseating as it is to recognise this, your carpets and textiles accumulate human skins and small pieces of food. Also clean your headboards, cushioned chairs and behind your refrigerator. Cleaning thoroughly and regularly will deprive the carpet beetles of food.

At this point, you’d also be advised to keep the food in your kitchen sealed. Carpet beetles love grains and nuts.

If the infestation gets too serious, you might be forced to hire pest control, and have them find the source of the problem and administer a chemical treatment spray through your home and walls.