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

Natural Habitat

Indoors: particularly in areas with accumulated lint, pet hair, wool, silk, feathers, furs, dried food products. Outdoors: in nests of birds or insects, sometimes feeding on pollen.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal-based products such as wool, silk, leather, feathers, furs, dead insects, pet dander, and dried food products. Adults typically feed on pollen and nectar outdoors.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are the destructive stage, often found in dark, undisturbed areas. They are slow-moving and can roll into a ball when disturbed. Adults are attracted to light and may be found near windows. They undergo complete metamorphosis.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can cause significant damage to textiles, carpets, clothing, museum specimens, and stored food products. Their larvae possess bristles that can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Benefits: Adults can be minor pollinators. Larvae can act as scavengers on dead organic matter in natural environments.

Identified on: 10/2/2025