Varied Carpet Beetle

Typically found in homes, museums, and nests of birds or insects. Indoors, they favor dark, undisturbed areas like carpets, closets, under furniture, or in stored woolens.

Adults feed on pollen and nectar. The larvae (which cause the damage) feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, fur, feathers, leather, and dead insects.

Adults are attracted to light and are often found on windowsills. The larvae prefer dark areas and will bore into natural fiber materials. They go through a complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult).

Risk: They are a common household pest known for damaging carpets, clothing, and upholstered furniture. Benefit: In nature, they act as decomposers, breaking down dead animal matter.