Subject: No idea what these are!
Geographic location of the bug: Maryland/DC
Date: 03/07/2018
Time: 10:43 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Hello!
Yesterday I noticed a bunch of small black/brown and white striped insect on the inside of my windowsill. After I noticed them, I found some on my bed, on the clothes that were on the floor of my closet, and on my bedroom door. I have no idea what they are. I suspected they were bedbugs, but I don’t have any bites. I’ve tried looking online but haven’t yielded much information. Please help!
How you want your letter signed: Jumanah
Dear Jumanah,
This is a Varied Carpet Beetle. The larvae of Varied Carpet Beetles are common household pests that will feed on a wide variety of organic materials around the home. Adults Varied Carpet Beetles feed on pollen, and one the larvae mature, the adults try to get outside, which is why your initial sighting was on a windowsill.
Will the Varied Carpet Beatle bite a person?
Eric Eaton once said if it has a mouth, it can bite.