Varied Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Indoors: Attics, basements, closets, under furniture, in cracks and crevices, storage areas, around pet bedding, and in museum collections. Outdoors: Nests of birds, rodents, and insects (like bees and wasps), and on flowers.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae: Animal products like wool, fur, feathers, silk, leather, dead insects, pet dander, lint, and sometimes dried plant materials. Adults: Pollen and nectar from flowers (outdoors).

Behavior Patterns

Carpet beetles undergo complete metamorphosis, with larvae typically feeding on organic materials in dark, undisturbed areas. Adults are often found near windows as they are attracted to light, or outdoors on flowers feeding on pollen and nectar. They are generally slow-moving. Larvae can be quite destructive.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can cause significant damage to household items made of natural fibers (carpets, clothing, upholstery), museum specimens, and stored foods. They do not bite humans or transmit diseases, but some individuals may experience skin irritation from hairs shed by larvae. Benefits: Outdoors, they play a minor role as scavengers and pollinators.

Identified on: 8/17/2025