Small, tiny, little black bugs in homes
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| varied carpet beetle |
I was a volunteer in the "Entomology (Study of Bugs)" section at a site called AllExperts**. The site allowed users to ask questions of volunteer "experts" in a variety of categories.
As a volunteer I got a variety of interesting and sometimes funny questions but one category stands out because of how often it is asked, often using very similar words. The question starts out something like "I have [small or tiny or little] black bugs on the walls in my ____________. They crunch when I squish them. What are they?" Sometimes the question includes a picture but often it does not. While there are many insects that fit this general description the one that you are most likely to find in the typical home are dermestid beetles, commonly called carpet beetles (see photo above). Carpet beetle adults can be all black to mottled grey, white, and brown, and round to oval in shape. They are all fairly small.
Carpet beetles are very common and you can find a few in almost every home. Carpet beetle larvae (often described as "fuzzy", see photo) feed on a wide variety of plant and animal material including hides, hair, dried plant fibers, grains and so forth.
carpet beetle larva
Our modern homes are full of this sort of material - such as wool, silk, natural cloth fibers, cereal and even dry pet food. Animal skins and mounted animal trophies can be damaged by carpet beetles as well. Containers of dry pet food kibbles are among the most common sources of these beetles.
While carpet beetle infestations tend to grow more slowly than some other pests their damage can be significant. In fact certain dermestid beetles can be especially damaging in museums and other places where animal and plant materials are stored for long periods.
Carpet beetle control
Don't be overly concerned if you find a few carpet beetles on the walls of your home. They pose no threat to the home's structure and they won't bite. Normal cleaning and proper food storage is usually all that is needed to keep carpet beetles under control. Do not resort to insecticides and never use mothballs (see this article about mothballs and their dangers for more information).
If you find beetles regularly or discover an infestation in stored food, take a look at our control suggestions (green box near bottom of that page) for carpet beetles in your home.
** Unfortunately the AllExperts site is no longer online.
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Comments
Help, please!
This does sound like a tick. If you have a picture send me a copy at livingwithbugs@gmail.com and I'll confirm.
Jack DeAngelis
Your description does not sound like insects or mites, both of which would be easily washed off. My guess is it is some kind of stain. Sometimes mold can leave behind a dark stain. Is the ceiling damp and moldy? Sorry I can't be more specific.
Jack DeAngelis
Apart from the centipedes there were these little round (side-side like worms kinda? But hard?) black bodied things with White bellies a black centipede looking thing (I had only seen orange/red) and a long black thing that was on my arm that I would guess measured something like 1x3-5 cm
The room was somewhat messy before we cleaned and I bombed it about 5 times with a raid all purpose spray the room is presently fairly clean (my seeds are boxed up in plastic containers my computer is on something not sitting right on the floor the tv and tables all have "stuff" on them and are somewhat organised there is a stack of books on the floor if that contributes? The house thermostat was also showing it was at 80 degrees (f) in the dining room if that helps any? There are also 2 outlets that don't have covers one not far from where the most recent bugs were found alive (the 4 kills were made right near it) in the living room there's also another in the foyer if that can help?
About all I know is pound them with the raid and they will eventually die
(help please?)
Please Help!
Please HELP!
please let me know if you can idenify these bugs and let me know how to get rid of them!!
Alcinda
Alogsdon@liberty.edu
I have the little brown bugs all over my house , on my dogs , I mean everywhere !! I cean & clean & clean with bleach , spray pesisides crap in my house , was my babies 3 times a week !!!! They leave either tiny black eggs or poop everywhere. I m going damn crazy
WTF are they & how do I treat them ? I'm going to burn this damn house down soon 😁
They r are very very tiny. And itch like crazy. Go outside and look for birdnest in the eaves of ur house. Or even up on top of a window ac unit.
Check ur attic to make sure no birds r roosting in there. Bird mites r becoming a people problem. Many drs even bug specialist think these mites don't consume human blood. In 1959 it was found they do. It was also thought these mites counxt reproduce on humans or when consuming human blood they can.
When the birds finally leave the nest,the mites that r in the nest go looking for a blood meal. These mites can infest a whole house. Reg bug killer provided by exterminators only works for a few days. Then the mites come back with a vengeance. Is ur bed next to a window?
Also check the vent in ur bathroom. Birds often build nest in /under the cap
Also these mites can carry bacteria and even mold spores that cause lesions.
Really I'm not trying to scare u, but this is an often misdiagnosed problem
And drs r still using old outdated information. Read about it. If u want more info then respond to my post. Becareful of people selling cures that don't work. I'm not selling anything.
Take care, hope this situation has resolved itself.
These little buggers itch like crazy for some. Others just feel the crawling sensation. Check ur body often for these tiny little mites. They r often mistaken for a freckle. Some family members get too while others do not.
There does seem to be a mold issue often but not always related. Check for birds nest on or near ur house.
Pets can also be affected by these mites.