Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Indoors: homes, museums, warehouses; Outdoors: nests of birds, rodents, insects, flowers

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on pollen and nectar; larvae feed on natural fibers (wool, silk, fur, feathers), dried animal products (dead insects, pet food, leather, museum specimens), and sometimes stored food products (grains, spices).

Behavior Patterns

Adults are often found near windows as they are attracted to light. Females lay eggs on suitable larval food sources. Larvae are the damaging stage, often found in dark, undisturbed areas. They are slow-moving and tend to curl up when disturbed. Multiple generations can occur per year.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include significant damage to textiles (carpets, clothing), museum artifacts, and stored food. They do not bite or transmit diseases to humans. Benefits in nature include being decomposers of organic matter; however, they are primarily considered pests in household and commercial settings.

Identified on: 9/5/2025