Common Hide Beetles (Dermestes maculatus) are found in tanneries, hide and skin warehouses, homes, bird nests, museum collections, stuffed animals. Can be found infecting any product of animal base. In length they are 5-10mm, uniformly dark or black in colour with white hairs on side and under surface. They utilise and attack items containing keratin, which is a chief constituent of structures such as hair of humans and other animals, horns, hoofs and feathers. Can cause considerable damage to merchandise, clothing and other animal based goods. Most damage is caused by the larvae. Large numbers of larvae can weaken timber structures because of ‘burrowing’ holes for pupation. In some cases parts of the building structure have been condemned. Larvae are considered the most damaging stage however adults can also damage commodities.