Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Indoors: Carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, clothing, museums, occasionally outdoors in bird nests or under bark.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on natural fibers such as wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, and stored food products; adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are destructive pests, feeding on organic materials. Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows. They undergo complete metamorphosis.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can cause significant damage to household items, textiles, and museum specimens. Can cause allergic reactions (dermatitis) in some sensitive individuals due to larval hairs. Benefits: In nature, they are decomposers, helping to break down animal remains.

Identified on: 9/22/2025