Black Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Found indoors in high-traffic areas, pantries, closets, and along baseboards; outdoors they live in bird or rodent nests.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae eat natural fibers such as wool, silk, hair, feathers, and leather, as well as dried food products. Adults primarily feed on flower pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are often attracted to light and may be found near windows. The larval stage is the destructive phase, which can last from several months to two years depending on temperature and food availability.

Risks & Benefits

They are a common household pest that can cause significant damage to clothing, upholstery, and carpets. They do not bite humans, though the larval hairs can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Identified on: 4/14/2026