Black Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Indoors, they are commonly found in homes, museums, warehouses, and storage areas. They prefer dark, undisturbed locations like closets, attics, under furniture, or in vents. Outdoors, they can be found in bird nests, animal burrows, and around flowering plants.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal products and materials containing keratin, such as wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, dead insects, and dried animal remains. They can also feed on plant-based materials like grains, cereals, and spices. Adult beetles feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Carpet beetles often lay eggs in dark, undisturbed areas where their larvae can feed on keratin-rich materials. Larvae are typically the most destructive stage. Adults are attracted to light and may be found near windows.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include significant damage to household items such as carpets, clothing, upholstered furniture, and stored food products. Allergic reactions or skin irritations can occur in sensitive individuals due to contact with larval hairs. They offer little direct benefit to humans, but as scavengers, they play a role in decomposition in natural environments.

Identified on: 7/2/2025