Varied Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments (carpets, closets, baseboards) and outdoors in bird nests or on flowers.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae eat natural fibers, hair, fur, and dead insects; adults primarily eat pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows; larvae are scavengers that prefer dark, undisturbed areas.

Risks & Benefits

They are a household pest that can damage textiles, clothing, and collections; they do not bite humans but larval hairs may cause skin irritation.

Identified on: 4/17/2026