Varied Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Often found indoors on carpets, woolens, furs, and stored fabrics. In nature, adults are found on flowers feeding on pollen.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, fur, feathers, and dead insects. Adults primarily feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows. The larvae are the damaging stage, hiding in dark, undisturbed areas like the edges of carpets or inside closets to feed.

Risks & Benefits

They pose no direct health threat to humans (they do not bite or sting), but the larvae can cause significant economic damage by eating holes in clothing, carpets, and upholstery. Some people may have allergic reactions to the larval hairs.

Identified on: 2/16/2026