The larder beetle is a common pest of hides and other animal products including dried meats, cheese, feathers, hair, horns and skin, and other foods with a high protein content especially dog or cat food. This beetle is also found in bird nests, animal remains, and bee and wasp nests. We found several of these beetles just outside the Buffett learning center.

This beetle is a common pest in homes around the world. They are used by taxidermists to clean animal skeletons. They eat keratin, a hard substance found in bones and nails of animals. They are close relatives to the carpet beetle and as such are a common pest in homes. Dermestids have a variety of habits; most genera are scavengers that feed on dry animal or plant material such as skin or pollen, animal hair, feathers, dead insects and natural fibers. Members of this genus are found in animal carcasses, while others may be found in mammal, bird, bee or wasp or nests.