Carpet Beetle Larva

Typically found indoors in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, attics, along baseboards, and under furniture. They hide in natural fibers, carpets, and stored clothing.

Scavengers that feed on natural animal fibers such as wool, fur, silk, leather, feathers, and dead insects. They also consume lint and pet hair.

Larvae avoid light and move relatively slowly. They are known for molting several times, leaving behind shed skins that look like hollow versions of themselves. This is the destructive life stage; the adults mainly feed on pollen.

Risks: Major household pest that can damage clothing, carpets, and upholstery made from natural fibers. The bristly hairs of the larvae can cause mild skin irritation or allergic reactions (dermatitis) in some people. Benefits: In nature, they act as decomposers of dead animal matter.