Varied Carpet Beetle

Indoors near windows, baseboards, and upholstered furniture; outdoors on flowering plants.

Larvae eat natural fibers (wool, silk, feathers), dead insects, and dried pet food; adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Adults are attracted to light and are often found on windowsills in spring. Larvae are scavengers that move slowly and shy away from light, often hiding in dark, undisturbed areas.

They are significant household pests that can damage clothing, carpets, and blankets. Larval hairs can cause allergic reactions or skin irritation in some humans, but they pose no threat of biting or disease transmission.