About Attagenus pellio (Linnaeus, 1758)
Attagenus pellio, commonly called the fur beetle or carpet beetle, is a pest that damages stored products including furs, skins, textiles, and grain. This oval-shaped insect reaches 4–6 mm in length, and has two patches of white hair on its elytra. The larvae of this species, sometimes referred to as 'woolly bears', are honey-colored and approximately ¼ inch long. Adult females most often lay their eggs in birds' nests, especially sparrow nests located under building eaves. From these nesting sites, the beetles can invade nearby homes, where they live in cracks between floorboards where wool or organic matter accumulates. Mouse nests can also serve as both shelter and a food source for these beetles.
