Carpet Beetle (likely Varied Carpet Beetle or Black Carpet Beetle)

Natural Habitat

Indoors: homes, museums, warehouses, and other buildings, often found in undisturbed areas like under furniture, in closets, or around baseboards. Outdoors: nests of birds, rodents, insects, or under dead animals.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a variety of animal products, including wool, silk, feathers, leather, fur, dead insects, museum specimens, and sometimes even plant-based materials like grains and spices. Adults feed on pollen and nectar outdoors.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are the damaging stage, often found in dark, undisturbed areas. They molt several times, leaving behind shed skins. Adults are attracted to light and may be seen near windows; they fly and are active during the day. The life cycle can take several months to a year depending on conditions.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Significant pests of stored products and household items containing animal fibers, causing damage to carpets, clothing, furs, and food items. Can also trigger allergic reactions in some sensitive individuals due to shed larval skins and hairs. Benefits: In natural environments, they play a role as scavengers, breaking down organic matter.

Identified on: 9/21/2025