Carpet Beetle (specifically a Varied Carpet Beetle)

Natural Habitat

Often found indoors in homes, specifically in carpets, closets, museums, and storage areas. Outdoors, adult beetles live on flowering plants.

Diet & Feeding

Larvae feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, fur, feathers, hair, and dead insects. Adults primarily feed on pollen and nectar from flowers.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are attracted to light and often found near windows. The damaging stage is the larva (often called 'woolly bears'), which prefers dark, undisturbed areas where it chews irregular holes in fabrics.

Risks & Benefits

Generally considered a household pest. While they do not bite humans or spread disease, their larvae can cause significant damage to clothing, carpets, upholstery, and museum specimens. Some people may have allergic reactions (dermatitis) to the larval hairs.

Identified on: 2/25/2026