Black Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments such as homes, warehouses, and museums; outdoor habitats include bird nests and flowers.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on pollen and nectar. Larvae feed on animal products like wool, fur, feathers, silk, animal hair, dried remains, and occasionally stored grains.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are often attracted to light and may be seen on windowsills. Larvae are scavengers and tend to avoid light, often found in dark, undisturbed areas like under baseboards or in closets.

Risks & Benefits

They are a common household pest; larvae can cause significant damage to household fabrics, clothing, and carpets. They do not bite or sting humans, but their hairs can cause skin irritation in some individuals.

Identified on: 5/2/2026