Varied Carpet Beetle

Common indoors, especially in homes where they inhabit carpets, closets, vents, and under furniture. Outdoors, they frequent bird nests and bee hives.

Adults feed on pollen and nectar. The larvae are pests that feed on natural fibers, including wool, silk, fur, feathers, hair, and dead insects.

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows. Larvae avoid light and are found in dark, undisturbed areas. They have a complete metamorphosis life cycle.

Generally harmless to humans (they do not bite or sting), though larval hairs can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals. They are significant pests of textiles and museum specimens, capable of damaging carpets, clothing, and taxidermy.