Varied Carpet Beetle (Larva)

Natural Habitat

Typically found indoors in homes, museums, and storage areas, especially in dark, undisturbed places like carpets, closets, drawers, and behind furniture. Outdoors, they are found in bird and insect nests.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on natural fibers and dead animal products (keratin), including wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, pet hair, and dried insect collections. Adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are photophobic (avoid light) and tend to burrow into the materials they are eating. They are known as 'woolly bears' due to their hairy appearance. Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows.

Risks & Benefits

They pose no direct physical threat to humans (they do not bite or sting), but the larval hairs (setae) can cause allergic skin reactions (carpet beetle dermatitis) in some people. They are a significant household pest because they can cause extensive damage to clothing, carpets, and upholstery.

Identified on: 2/25/2026