Varied Carpet Beetle (Larva)

Natural Habitat

Found indoors in cupboards, under baseboards, and in stored textile or food areas; outdoors in bird and wasp nests.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers that feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, fur, feathers, and dead insects, as well as some dried food products.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are slow-moving and prefer dark, secluded areas where they can feed undisturbed; they undergo many molts, leaving behind shed skins.

Risks & Benefits

They are household pests that damage carpets, clothing, and furniture. Their bristly hairs can cause 'carpet beetle dermatitis' (allergic skin reactions) in sensitive individuals. They do not bite or spread disease.

Identified on: 4/4/2026