Varied Carpet Beetle Larva (often called 'Woolly Bear')

Indoors in dark, secluded areas such as closets, under carpets, in air vents, and behind baseboards. Outdoors found in bird nests or bee hives.

Feeds on natural fibers and organic materials including wool, silk, fur, feathers, dead insects, pet dander, and dried plant products.

Larvae prefer dark areas and will move away from light. They molt several times, leaving behind shed skins that look like the larva itself. They are the destructive stage of the insect's life cycle.

Risks: Major household pest that damages clothing, carpets, and upholstered furniture. The bristly hairs on the larvae can cause an allergic skin reaction in some people known as 'carpet beetle dermatitis'. Benefits: In nature, they act as decomposers of dead animal matter.