Carpet Beetle (likely Black Carpet Beetle)

Natural Habitat

Indoors: storage areas, closets, beneath carpets, around baseboards, attics. Outdoors: Nests of birds, rodents, and insects, feeding on dead animals or plant matter.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a variety of animal and plant products, including wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, dried meat, museum specimens, cereals, and pet food. Adults feed on pollen and nectar outdoors.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are the damaging stage, often found in dark, undisturbed areas. They are slow-moving and tend to avoid light. Adults are attracted to light and are often found near windows. They undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult).

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Considered a nuisance and a pest, as their larvae can cause significant damage to household items, textiles, and stored food products. They can also cause allergic reactions in some sensitive individuals due to shed larval skins and frass. Benefits: In nature, they play a role as scavengers, breaking down organic matter.

Identified on: 9/22/2025