Larder Beetle

Natural Habitat

Commonly found indoors in kitchens, pantries, and storage areas, as well as outdoors in bird nests or with animal carcasses.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers that feed on high-protein animal products including cured meats, dried fish, pet food, cheese, animal hides, and dead insects.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are active in the spring and early summer; they seek out food sources to lay eggs. Larvae are 'fuzzy' and do most of the damage, often boring into soft wood or insulation to pupate.

Risks & Benefits

Significant household pest as they contaminate food products. While they are not harmful to humans directly (they do not bite), their presence indicates a source of decomposing organic matter or infested food that needs removal.

Identified on: 4/16/2026