Carpet beetle larva

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, particularly in undisturbed areas like under carpets, in closets, behind baseboards, and in stored food products or natural fibers (wool, silk, leather, fur, pet hair). They can also be found in nests of birds or insects.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers that feed on a variety of animal and plant products, including dead insects, pet hair, wool, silk, leather, fur, feathers, dried pet food, cereal products, and museum specimens.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are often covered in bristles and move slowly. They typically avoid light and prefer dark, secluded places. They go through several larval instars before pupating and emerging as adult beetles. Damage is primarily caused by the feeding larvae.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include damage to fabrics, carpets, clothing, furs, and stored food products. They can be a common household pest. They are generally not harmful to humans directly (do not bite or sting) but can cause allergic reactions in some sensitive individuals due to their shed bristles. Benefits include their role as decomposers in nature, breaking down organic matter.

Identified on: 10/15/2025