Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetle larvae feed on animal and plant substances such as wool, fur, feather, hair, seeds, grain, cereals, flour, dog and cat food, leather, dead insects and bird and rodent nests. The larvae live behind baseboards and moldings, in heating system air ducts, dresser drawers, carpets, clothing and furniture. Adult beetles fly in May and June. Four species are common in Maine, the three pictured below and the common carpet beetle, Anthrenus scrophulariae, which looks similar to both the furniture and varied carpet beetle.
Black carpet beetle (Attagenus unicolor) adult and larva.
Furniture carpet beetle (Anthrenus flavipes) adult and larva.
Varied carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci) adult.
Click on images to view full-size
Identification and Control Information
- Integrated Pest Management in the Home: Carpet Beetles (PDF)—University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Home & Garden Insect Series: Carpet Beetles (PDF)—Colorado State University Extension
- Household Pest Management: Carpet Beetles (PDF)—West Virginia University Extension Service
- Pest Management Fact Sheet: Carpet Beetles—University of Maine Cooperative Extension
[Photos, left to right: Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org; Clemson University - USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series, Bugwood.org; Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org]