Carpet Beetle

Commonly found in homes and buildings, specifically in rugs, closets, and along baseboards where natural fibers accumulate.

Adults feed on pollen and nectar; larvae feed on animal-based materials like wool, silk, hair, feathers, and dry pet food.

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows. Larvae avoid light (are lucifugous) and can live for hundreds of days, causing slow but consistent damage during their development.

Risks: Pest of household fabrics and museum specimens; larvae hairs can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in humans. Benefits: In nature, they act as scavengers that break down dead animal matter.