Carpet Beetle

Commonly found indoors in carpets, upholstery, and stored fabrics, or outdoors on flowering plants.

Adults feed on pollen and nectar; larvae feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, fur, feathers, and dead organic matter.

Larvae are secretive and avoid light while feeding on fabrics; adults are attracted to light and are often seen near windows during spring.

Larvae can cause significant damage to household goods and clothing; some people may experience allergic reactions to larval hairs. Benefit limited to decomposition of organic matter in the wild.