Varied Carpet Beetle

Found indoors in carpets, upholstery, and stored fabrics, or outdoors in bird nests and on flowering plants.

Adults feed on pollen and nectar; larvae feed on natural animal fibers like wool, silk, feathers, fur, and hair.

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows; larvae are resilient scavengers that can go long periods without food while causing damage to materials.

They are serious household pests that damage clothing and textiles; larval hairs can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people.