Carpet Beetle

Indoors in homes and museums, feeding on natural fibers, furs, wool, dead insects, and stored food products. Outdoors in bird nests and animal carcasses.

Larvae feed on a wide variety of natural organic materials, including wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, animal carcasses, dried insects, and sometimes stored food products. Adult beetles feed on pollen and nectar.

Larvae are often found in dark, undisturbed areas like under furniture, in closets, or around baseboards. They are slow-moving and tend to curl up when disturbed. Adults are attracted to light and are often seen near windows.

Potential risks include damage to natural fiber products (carpets, clothing, upholstery, furs, taxidermy) and contamination of stored food. They do not bite or transmit diseases to humans. They play a role in decomposition in natural environments.