Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Indoors, especially in undisturbed areas, carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, closets, attics, and around baseboards where lint, pet hair, and food crumbs accumulate. They can also be found in museums and storage facilities where natural fibers are present. Outdoors, they live in nests of birds and mammals, feeding on feathers, fur, and dead insects.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide range of animal products, including wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, dried meat, dried insects, and sometimes plant-based materials like grains or cereals. Adult beetles primarily feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Adult carpet beetles are often found near windows in the spring, attempting to go outdoors to find flowers. The larvae are the damaging stage, often found in dark, undisturbed areas. They are known to roll into a ball when disturbed. The life cycle can take several months to a year depending on conditions.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include damage to natural fiber products like carpets, clothing, furs, and upholstered furniture. In rare cases, some people may experience skin irritation from contact with the larvae's spiny hairs. Benefits are minimal in a domestic setting; however, in natural ecosystems, they contribute to decomposition by feeding on carrion and detritus.

Identified on: 11/18/2025