Carpet beetle larvae found in basement

Question: I am hoping that you can help me identify a bug that I found in my basement carpet the other day. It was shaped like a seed and red in appearance. It was hard like a shell, and when I broke the shell it oozed a clear liquid, and you could see ridges in the shell that resembled a worm. There were no legs, but it was burrowed in the carpet. I would appreciate any help that you can give me.

Thank you!

Answer: It is possible that what you have found may be a Carpet Beetle larva. Without the specimen, it is difficult to narrow down what it truly is, so the best guess is based on your description. The varied carpet beetle and the furniture carpet beetle larvae have quite prominent hairs. The black carpet beetle larvae have hairs, but they are not as prominent. This may have been what you observed.

Carpet beetles are considered to be a fabric pest, but adults are often found inside, feeding on flower pollen. Carpet beetle larvae will often feed on dead animal materials, hair, fur, hides and horns, as well as woolen materials.

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