Larder Beetle

Indoor environments such as pantries, kitchens, and attics, as well as outdoors near bird nests, dead animals, and animal remains.

Larvae and adults feed on high-protein animal products including dried meats, cheese, pet food, feathers, hair, dead insects, and animal skins.

Adults are active flyers and attracted to light. Females lay eggs near suitable food sources. The destructive larvae burrow into materials to pupate, which can cause structural damage to wooden or insulation surfaces nearby.

They do not bite, sting, or transmit disease to humans or pets. However, they are common household pests that spoil stored food products and can damage animal specimens, taxidermy, or woolens.