Carpet beetle larva

Indoors, especially in areas with natural fibers like carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, clothing, and stored food products. Outdoors, they can be found in bird nests, animal carcasses, and dried plant matter.

Feeds on a wide range of organic materials, particularly animal products such as wool, silk, leather, fur, feathers, and dead insects. They also consume dried plant material, cereals, and pet food.

Larvae are typically slow-moving and prefer dark, undisturbed areas. They are known to shed their skins multiple times as they grow, and these shed skins can be a sign of infestation. Adults are winged and can fly indoors, often attracted to light.

Potential risks include damage to natural fiber products like carpets, clothing, and upholstered furniture. They can also contaminate stored food. Some people may develop allergic reactions to their bristles or shed skins. There are generally no benefits to humans in a domestic setting.