Thank you for the ruler scale. These are larder beetles. Their main source of food is mainly anything with a high protein content. Around the house this could be pet food etc. They have been known to feed on woolen items.

They are indeed larder beetles, or Dermestes beetles (dermestes lardarius).

They only need four main things to survive. Food, moisture, shelter and darkness. Which is only one less than us menfolk. ;o)

Thanks for that. Pretty gruesome now that I know. Just read a bit and see that they can come in on birds nests and I took two bird corpses out when I unblocked the chimney. Will look into treatment/prevention.

Myron, for me, after being married for forty years it's food, shelter, moisture and darkness. My wife says after forty years of marriage she requires food, shelter, moisture, darkness and (looking at me) a cadaver for these beetles to feed on.

Well I'm a simple bloke, I only really need 2 things in life... A cold beer and a warm woman. If I get home and the beers warm then I know it's going to be a 'cold' night. :o(

Forgot to mention that dermestid beetles have a history of providing a superior service for those who prepare biological specimens and those involved in taxidermy and are sold for that purpose.

Yes, they will strip keratin off bones in no time.

Thanks for that extra Loosestrife! I'm not planning on cultivating these! I think carpet beetles would be positively welcomed in comparison. I've washed and disinfected the pot I found them in and washed all the compost off the plant in case they had laid eggs in it. But the could be anywhere. I'm just hoping that these were recent incomers and aren't longstanding squatters given that the house was empty for 12 months or more before I bought it.