Black Carpet Beetle (Likely)

Natural Habitat

Found indoors in carpets, closets, crevices, and stored fabrics; outdoors in flower gardens and animal nests.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on keratin (wool, fur, silk, feathers, leather), dead insects, and dried food (grains, pet food). Adults primarily feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows; larvae avoid light, wander significantly, and hide in dark, undisturbed areas like under furniture or baseboards.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: No direct threat to human health (do not bite or sting), but larvae are destructive pests that damage clothing, carpets, and upholstery. Hairs from larvae can sometimes cause allergic skin reactions.

Identified on: 3/4/2026