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

Natural Habitat

Indoors, especially in homes and museums, feeding on various organic materials. Outdoors, found in nests of birds, rodents, and insects like bees and wasps.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, fur, feathers, and leather, as well as dried food products, pet food, and museum specimens. Adults primarily feed on pollen and nectar outdoors.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas. Adults are attracted to light and may be found near windows. They undergo complete metamorphosis. The larval stage is the destructive stage. They are often brought into homes through infested items.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include damage to clothing, carpets, upholstered furniture, and stored food products. They do not bite humans or transmit diseases. Benefits include their role as scavengers in breaking down organic matter in nature.

Identified on: 9/10/2025