Pest profile

Black Larder Beetle

Dermestes ater · Coleoptera: Dermestidae[2]

Black larder beetles scavenge dead insects and carrion and also infest cheese, dried fish, leather, wool and dry milk.[1]

Black larder beetle adult, an elongate black beetle seen from above on a white surface
Black larder beetle adult, an elongate black beetle seen from above on a white surface. (c) Svavar Martin Andreasen, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Adults are 7 to 9 mm long, black or brown, with yellowish-gray hairs over the body.[1]
  • Larvae reach about 1/3 to 1/2 inch, reddish-brown to black, with a broken yellow stripe down the back.[1]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Larder beetleThe larder beetle's underside is lighter; this species has dark brown patches underneath.[1]
Hide beetleThe hide beetle larva's rear spines curve inward; this species' spines point straight up.[1]

Where it lives

Native to North America and Hawaii, it's now found in all regions of the world.[1]

US map: public records from 18 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

Larvae take about 19 days to develop in heat and about 50 days at cooler temperatures.[1]

Adults and larvae are cannibalistic.[1]

Damage and signs

  • It damages cheese, dried fish, leather, silk, wool and milk powder, and feeds on dead insects and animals.[1]

Health risk

UF/IFAS mentions no direct risk to people; it can be an intermediate host of poultry tapeworms.[1]

Control

Prevention

Inspect kitchens, pantries, garages, basements, attics and crawlspaces for stored meat, cheese, pet food and dead animals.[1]

Keep them out

Install screens and seal cracks and crevices to keep beetles out.[1]

Sanitation

Good sanitation is the best way to prevent and control it.[1]

Traps and physical control

Pheromone traps and cold or heat treatment can help.[1]

When to call a professional

For a severe infestation, fumigation may be the best method.[1]

Common questions

Where are black larder beetles coming from?
Often stored foods or dead insects, rodents or birds hidden in attics and crawlspaces.[1]
What do their droppings look like?
Dermestid frass is dark brown, dry and stringy.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Black Larder Beetle, Dermestes ater (EENY-480).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN866 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Dermestes ater taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/218262 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.