Larder Beetle

Natural Habitat

Domestic settings, specifically pantries, kitchens, and areas where cured meats or animal products are stored.

Diet & Feeding

High-protein animal products including dried meats, cheese, feathers, hair, skin, and dead insects.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are active in late spring and early summer; larvae are the primary feeders and can bore into soft wood or insulation to pupate.

Risks & Benefits

Common household pest that can contaminate food supplies and cause minor structural damage during pupation; they serve as natural scavengers in the wild.

Identified on: 2/8/2026