Varied Carpet Beetle

Natural Habitat

Indoors in homes, museums, and warehouses; outdoors on flowering plants.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae eat natural fibers (wool, silk, fur), feathers, and dried organic matter. Adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Behavior Patterns

Larvae are scavengers that prefer dark, undisturbed areas like baseboards or closets. Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows.

Risks & Benefits

Significant household pest that damages carpets, clothing, and upholstery. Contact with larval hairs can cause 'carpet beetle dermatitis' (skin irritation/allergic reactions) in some humans.

Identified on: 1/2/2026