Carpet Beetle Larva

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, particularly in floor cracks, under carpets, inside closets, and near baseboards. In the wild, they are found in bird nests or with organic debris.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers that feed on organic materials including wool, silk, fur, feathers, hair, pet dander, dried plant material, and dead insects.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are slow-moving and avoid light (negatively phototactic). They undergo several molts, leaving behind translucent brown skins. They can survive for long periods without food.

Risks & Benefits

They are serious household pests that can damage clothing, upholstery, and carpets. While they do not bite, their hairlike bristles (hastisetae) can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Identified on: 4/14/2026