Carpet Beetle

Indoors within carpets, upholstered furniture, closets, and baseboards; outdoors in bird nests or on flowering plants.

Larvae feed on natural animal fibers like wool, silk, hair, feathers, and dead insects; adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Larvae are scavengers that prefer dark, secluded areas. Adults are attracted to light and are often found near windows. They undergo a complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult).

Risks: Larvae can cause significant damage to household textiles, clothing, and stored goods. Their hairs can also cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people. Benefits: In the wild, they help decompose organic animal matter.