Black Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Commonly found indoors, especially in dark, undisturbed areas such as under carpets, in closets, pantries, and attics. Outdoors, they can be found in bird and rodent nests.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of organic materials, including wool, silk, feathers, fur, pet hair, dead insects, museum specimens, stored foods (cereals, pasta, dried meat), and carpet fibers. Adult beetles feed on nectar and pollen outdoors.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are attracted to light and may be found near windows. Larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas and can cause significant damage to textiles and stored products. They undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). The larval stage is the most destructive.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include significant damage to carpets, clothing (especially wool and silk), upholstered furniture, and stored food products. They do not bite or sting humans and are not known to transmit diseases. There are generally no notable benefits in a domestic setting; however, outside of human dwellings, some dermestid beetles play a role in decomposition.

Identified on: 11/15/2025