Carpet beetle larva

Natural Habitat

Indoors, especially in undisturbed areas like carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, closets, attics, and around baseboards where lint, pet hair, and food debris accumulate. They can also be found in museums or stored pantry items.

Diet & Feeding

Keratin-rich materials such as wool, silk, feathers, fur, leather, animal bristles, pet hair, as well as dead insects, dried food products, and lint.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are the damaging stage, feeding on natural fibers. They are often found in dark, undisturbed areas. Adults are not usually considered pests as they feed on pollen and nectar outdoors, but they lay eggs indoors. Larvae molt multiple times, leaving behind shed skins, which can be an indicator of their presence.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include significant damage to textiles, clothing, carpets, and museum specimens made of natural fibers. They do not bite humans but can cause allergic reactions (dermatitis) in some individuals due to contact with their bristles or shed skins. They offer no known benefits in an indoor setting and are considered significant household and museum pests.

Identified on: 9/20/2025