Carpet Beetle

Commonly found indoors in homes, warehouses, and museums, as well as outdoors in bird nests and on flowering plants.

Larvae feed on natural fibers such as wool, silk, fur, feathers, and hair, as well as dead insects; adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Adults are attracted to light and are often found near windows; larvae are reclusive, seeking out dark, undisturbed areas to feed and molt.

The larvae can be significant household pests, damaging clothing, upholstery, and carpets; they do not bite humans, but larval hairs can cause allergic skin reactions (carpet beetle dermatitis).