Carpet Beetle (Larva)

Natural Habitat

Found indoors in homes, museums, and warehouses often in carpets, closets, under furniture, or near baseboards where lint and hair accumulate. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on natural animal fibers such as wool, fur, silk, feathers, dead insects, pet hair, leather, and sometimes stored grain products. Adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

The fuzzy, worm-like larvae move slowly and tend to avoid light. They undergo complete metamorphosis. When disturbed, they may play dead. The infestation is often discovered by finding the larvae themselves or their molted skins.

Risks & Benefits

Risk: They are a significant household pest that causes damage to clothing, carpets, rugs, and upholstery made of natural fibers. Some people may have allergic reactions (dermatitis) to the larval hairs (bristles). Benefit: In nature, they act as decomposers of dead animal matter, cleaning up carcasses and dried biological debris.

Identified on: 3/8/2026