Carpet beetle (larva)

Natural Habitat

Indoors, commonly found in carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, clothing, and stored food products. Outdoors, they can be found in bird nests, animal carcasses, and insect nests.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a variety of animal and plant products, including wool, silk, feathers, fur, leather, hair, dead insects, animal carcasses, and stored food items like cereals and dried pasta.

Behavior Patterns

Carpet beetle larvae are slow-moving and prefer dark, undisturbed areas. They molt several times before pupating. Adults are small, oval, and often fly towards light, sometimes found on windowsills. The larvae are the destructive stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can cause significant damage to household items made of natural fibers, including carpets, clothing, and upholstered furniture. They do not bite or sting humans, but their shed larval skins and hairs can cause allergic skin reactions or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Benefits: In nature, they are decomposers, helping to break down organic matter.

Identified on: 11/15/2025