Black Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Indoors, they are commonly found in homes, museums, and warehouses where they infest carpets, upholstered furniture, clothing, and stored food products. Outdoors, they can be found in bird nests, animal nests, and dried carcasses.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal-derived products including wool, fur, feathers, silk, stored foods, dead insects, and animal carcasses. Adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae develop in wool, fur, feathers, and other animal protein materials. Adults are typically found near windows as they are attracted to light, or in areas where larvae are feeding. They are not strong flyers and usually crawl.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can cause significant damage to household items made of natural fibers (e.g., wool carpets, clothing, furs) and contaminate stored food products. They can be a pest in museums where they damage collections. Benefits: Outdoors, they contribute to the decomposition of organic matter.

Identified on: 8/25/2025