Carpet Beetle (larva)

Natural Habitat

Indoors: carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, clothing, stored food products, museum collections. Outdoors: nests of birds and mammals, dead insects or animals.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of organic materials of animal origin, including wool, silk, leather, fur, feathers, pet hair, dead insects, museum specimens, and sometimes dried plant-based products.

Behavior Patterns

Carpet beetle larvae are typically secretive and avoid light. They are often found in dark, undisturbed areas. Their feeding can cause significant damage to natural fibers. Adults are often found near windows as they are attracted to light and feed on pollen and nectar outdoors.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Significant pests of homes, museums, and warehouses due to their destructive feeding on natural fibers and stored products. Can cause allergic reactions in some sensitive individuals (dermatitis, respiratory irritation) due to their shed bristles and waste. Benefits: Act as scavengers in natural ecosystems, helping to break down organic matter.

Identified on: 10/22/2025