Varied Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Often found indoors on carpets, woolens, furs, and stored food products; outdoors they reside on flowers (especially Spiraea and Hogweed) feeding on pollen and nectar.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae (known as 'woolly bears') feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, fur, feathers, dead insects, and dried leather. Adult beetles feed primarily on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windowsills. The destructive larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas like under baseboards, inside air ducts, or in the folds of stored clothing.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Larvae are a significant household pest that can damage carpets, clothing, museum specimens, and upholstered furniture. The bristly hairs on larvae can cause allergic skin reactions in some people. Benefits: In nature, they help decompose animal matter, but indoors they are considered pests.

Identified on: 2/25/2026