Carpet Beetle

Indoors: often found in carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, closets, attics, and anywhere organic materials like wool, fur, or dried food are stored. Outdoors: found in nests of birds and insects, and on flowers.

Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal and plant products, including wool, silk, feathers, leather, furs, pet hair, dried meat, dried plants, and stored food products. Adult carpet beetles feed on pollen and nectar.

Carpet beetle adults are attracted to light and are often found near windows. Larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas. They are known for 'playing dead' when disturbed, curling up into a ball. They undergo complete metamorphosis.

Risks: Can cause significant damage to textiles, clothing, carpets, and stored food items, leading to economic losses. They do not bite humans but can cause skin irritation/allergic reactions in some individuals due to bristles shed by larvae. Benefits: In nature, they are decomposers, helping to break down organic matter.