Varied Carpet Beetle

Often found indoors in homes, museums, and warehouses; outdoors they inhabit bird nests and feed on pollen/nectar on flowers.

Larvae feed on natural fibers (wool, silk, fur, feathers), dead insects, and dried food products; adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows; larvae avoid light and hide in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, under furniture, or in attic spaces.

Larvae can cause significant damage to carpets, clothing, upholstery, and museum specimens; the bristly hairs of the larvae can cause allergic skin reactions (carpet beetle dermatitis) in some people.