Black Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Typically found indoors in carpets, closets, pantries, and baseboards; outdoors in bird nests or on flowers.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae eat animal products such as wool, silk, fur, feathers, and hair, as well as dried plant materials like grain and flour. Adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are the primary scavengers and can endure long periods of starvation. Adults are attracted to light and are often seen near windows during the spring.

Risks & Benefits

Considered a significant household pest as larvae damage fabrics, clothing, and stored food. They do not bite humans, but larval hairs can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Identified on: 4/1/2026