Bug in NYC Closet: Not a Bed Bug—Likely Sowbug or Carpet Beetle Larva

The dead insect in your closet (near laundry hampers, shoe boxes, seasonal clothes) is not a bed bug. It resembles either:

• Sowbug (Isopoda) — land crustacean, 7 pairs of legs, humped, gray-brown. Needs moisture; enters from outside.
• Carpet beetle larva (Dermestidae) — hairy, carrot-shaped, brown. Feeds on wool, feathers, pet hair, dead insects.

Next Step

A clearer photo (top, side, scale) would confirm. For now:

• Check for moisture sources (leaks, condensation) if sowbug.
• Inspect woolens, furs, down items, pet bedding for carpet beetle larvae.
• Vacuum thoroughly. Store vulnerable items sealed.

Neither pest indicates a bed bug problem. Bed bugs hide near beds, not in closets with shoes.