Varied carpet beetles get their name from the rainbow of color on their back surfaces.
Color: Black centers, with white, brown and yellow patches in an irregular arrangement
Legs: Six
Shape: Round
Size: 1/16
Antennae: Yes
Flight: No
Habits: These pests enjoy dining on carpets, woolen fabrics, dead insects, furs, hides, feathers, horns, hair, silk and bones. It can take 249-354 days to three years for varied carpet beetles to grow from an egg to an adult. Carpet beetles often find caches of dog food or other animal products (placed in a wall or other hidden location by other pests) upon which their larva will feed. Removal of these food sources is recommended.
Habitat: Varied carpet beetles are found in homes in attics, Oriental carpets, tapestries and wood-based wall-to-wall carpeting.
Threats: Varied carpet beetles feed on dead insects, but also feed on upholstery and carpet, so they can damage those materials. They can also damage clothing fabric.