Carpet beetle larva

Indoors in homes and museums; outdoors in animal nests, dead animals, and plants. Often found in dark, undisturbed areas like under carpets, in closets, or around baseboards.

Feeds on natural fibers such as wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, and dead insects. They are scavengers that consume keratin-containing materials.

Larvae are typically slow-moving and prefer dark environments. They curl up when disturbed. They undergo several molts before pupating. The adult beetles are often attracted to light and can be found near windows.

Potential risks include damage to textiles, clothing, carpets, and stored food products containing animal protein. They do not pose health risks to humans (e.g., bites or stings). In nature, they are beneficial as decomposers.