Carpet Beetle (Larva)

Natural Habitat

Indoors, typically in dark, undisturbed areas such as under carpets, rugs, furniture, in closets, pantries, and attics. They feed on natural fibers and stored food products.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on a wide variety of animal and plant products, including wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, dried meat, dead insects, pet food, and sometimes synthetic fibers if mixed with natural ones.

Behavior Patterns

The larval stage is the destructive stage, as adults primarily feed on pollen and nectar outdoors. Larvae are often found in dark, secluded places and develop slowly, molting multiple times. They are known to roll into a ball when disturbed. Adults are attracted to light and may be found near windows.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include damage to personal property (clothing, carpets, furniture, taxidermy, museum specimens), contamination of food products, and potential allergic reactions in sensitive individuals due to their shed hairs. They are generally not harmful to humans directly. There are no significant benefits associated with carpet beetles in a household setting.

Identified on: 11/20/2025