I have them all over my house, they are like book lice and are in everything I look at, kids toys, even in my drawers. When I want to wear a top I inspect it and there is a tiny bug in it, its making me feel disgusted. Help me please.
To Angelcake from the UK: The tiny bugs that look like lice can also be bird lice that come from bird nests, like swallows, that are anywhere on a house. Birds are loaded with lice and so are their nests. The lice leave the nests and enter the house anywhere there is even the smallest crack, usually around windows and window sills. They will go away when the nests are removed.
I have the same issue as far as using anything toxic. I have pets and a five year old boy so I don't want to use anything toxic either. I read somewhere that mint oil like peppermint oil is a great miticide/pesticide. I also find tea tree oil good as well, but I wound up purchasing Kleen Green because I know tea tree oil is toxic to cats so I use it on myself, but don't want to be spraying that stuff where my cat can get it.
Tea tree oil also has been known to cause breast enlargement in males if used for a prolonged period of time. Because I am female I use it as I don't need to worry about that. I have also found that any kind of orange cleaner kills live bugs. I had an ant problem and sprayed them with a naturally orange cleaner product I bought at the grocery store and they died instantly.
Also, I use Borax and vacuum frequently. Borax will get on the little buggers feet and when they clean themselves it causes them to dehydrate and die. Sprinkle on your carpets. Let sit and vacuum up very well. It is non-toxic, but in my opinion, I don't know how good it is for animals to be sitting in it if you don't vacuum it up, it may cause skin irritation because it is "salty". I even sprinkled it on my mattress, let it sit and vacuumed it up.
The Kleen Green says that its enzymes eat away at the bugs outer protective coating in order to get inside and kill them and it is non-toxic. You could bathe in it and use it on pets as well. I just bought it so I can't say much about it yet as I haven't used it long enough. Its a bit pricy. If anything at this point it makes me feel like I am doing something productive, but that will remain to be seen. Good luck!
I'm starting to see some of the bugs you describe now. I THOUGHT my worst problem (still unsolved) was..and is, the infestation of some kind of small moths. They had "shaved" a nice silk/wool rug that was rolled up. I didn't know the scads of white paper-looking tubes, the size of a Barbie cigarette...were probably their cocoons, but they, and the dead bodies of the adult moths are all over, as well as their dirty work. They laugh at cedar, any ideas? I have pets, so am trying to keep it non toxic to them. Thanks so much!
Please look into Collembola (Springtails). They were never considered a human parasite and some biologists still don't believe it, but they are. I know as I have felt biting and found them on my skin. They love damp warm areas and typically feed on fungus and bacteria. For some unknown reason they make their way indoors and start feeding on people. Many biologists are now accepting that they do feed on certain humans. I had a small amount of toe nail fungus on my toenail. I don't know if that was what attracted them to me in the first place or not, but to say its been a nightmare is an understatement. I am currently looking into getting new windows (they are old and have mold on them) and I was told to get rid of all moisture sources in the house. I may very well by a dehumidifier in each room. I find apple cider vinegar does a great job killing them. I actually add it to my bath water every night when i soak before bed to help with the biting sensations.
Tiny bugs. Don't know what a book mite looks like, but will google it when I'm done.
Best bet for starters. Throw out everything in every room not needed, old, unused, from newspapers, magazines, cereal boxes, clothing etc. Wash anything washable you want to keep. Make a warm water, soap, bleach solution and wipe down everything which can be wiped in every room. Dust all areas. Put an old t shirt on a broom and wipe corners of all walls, behind furniture, under furniture, and ceiling corners. If you have a very old piece of furniture, with cloth, foam or stuffing, consider tossing it out. Same for any old cushions, pillows, quilts, anything that might be nest areas. Same with old plants which might have dead leaves, branches, etc.
Decaying houseplants can harbor quite the colonies of bugs, which I didn't know until this summer myself. Had a bunch of plants in a planter on front porch, most of them died while I was gone, from being over watered by someone trying to be a helper. I didn't think to toss them, gnat type things everywhere. It took us a lot of cleaning, poking,tossing, and reading on web, to figure out where they were coming from. Who knew?
Bugs like dusty, crumbly, spider webby areas, and they make even more of the same. Sometimes all it takes is a little piece of decaying fruit left somewhere by a child.
I don't like bug sprays. Over the years they are very damaging to our bodies, especially to children. So I just try to handle it the old fashioned way. Takes more time, but then you know where everything in your house is, you find things you lost, and you feel good.
This pages has been archived 2 times. You can view older posts and feedback below.
Request: Tiny Bugs In My House (08/24/2009)
I have little brown bugs (look like mites). They can be seen with the eye, but are really small. They don't bite, but really annoying. Does anyone have an idea of what they are? Please help.
Request: Tiny Bugs In My House (07/23/2009)
I have very tiny bugs - the size of the top of a straight pin in my kitchen around the windows and on my white floor. When you step on them or use your finger to smash them, they leave a reddish, brown streak. I tried spraying and caulked the baseboard area. How do I get rid of them?
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Request: Tiny Bugs In My House
Archived on 08/24/2009
I have little brown bugs (look like mites). They can be seen with the eye, but are really small. They don't bite, but really annoying. Does anyone have an idea of what they are? Please help. We have had them for a week and are going crazy. We are going to bomb and see what that does.
I was told by an exterminator: these are called drain flies, and they live in drains. He told a few of us at work ( more than one of us had these), pour about two cups or so of bleach into our drains every other day or so until they are gone. They live in the elbow of the drain so letting the bleach sit for awhile killed them. (07/27/2009)
Hello, tiny brown bug people. The exterminator was in last evening. We cleaned out our entire pantry and found the source, a can of Hot Chocolate mix. We threw out the can wiped down all of our cupboards and the exterminator will be back on Friday to spray. Hope this helps everyone out.
1265/WI (08/19/2009)
I have very tiny bugs - the size of the top of a straight pin in my kitchen around the windows and on my white floor. When you step on them or use your finger to smash them, they leave a reddish, brown streak. I tried spraying and caulked the baseboard area. It is a new home, less than 2 years old. How do I get rid of them?
newyork062 from Raleigh, NC
Feedback:
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
Hi,
I know this is going to sound crazy but it works. Get a couple "jumbo" packs of Wrigley's Spearmint gum,
clean all surfaces where bugs have been, then put unwrapped sticks of the gum around where the bugs have been, and everywhere else, like cupboards counter-tops where you don't want them to be. I had bugs that fit your bugs' description and had tried everything to get rid of them, including a "professional" pesticide job! The gum worked and they've been gone for almost 9 months so far! Hope this helps. It has to be Wrigley's spearmint gum, something about that particular gum drives/keeps them away! (03/14/2006)
By CLK
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
They are called clover mites. They don't do much, but are ugly to look at. I used to just take a wet paper towel and wipe them all away. They seem to like windows that have moisture around them. I've never heard of the gum idea. I would definitely try that! (03/14/2006)
By Kathy
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
Kathy (Guest Post),
Thank you. In researching the Internet about clover mites, that is the problem. I appreciate your help.
CLK (Guest Post),
I guess I'll just have to chew the Wrigley's Spearmint Gum (SMILE). Thanks for the suggestion. (03/15/2006)
Thank you for letting me know what those bugs were called, I have a phobia with bugs and will notice the smallest possible bug, I was very creeped out and scared. Thanks again. (12/06/2006)
By Jo
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
I think I have found the same little bugs as Shirley. Brown, little, microscopic, sliver-like creatures which move around. The largest ones are about as thick as 2 or 3 hairs and no longer than 1/16 of an inch. Most are even shorter than that.
I tried to take a picture of them but they are too small to focus upon clearly. I can zoom in and doctor in Photoshop, but the color isn't really accurate. They are more of a tan color with a darker head (I think it is a head).
They seem to bite, or at least irritate the skin, when we are sleeping. I have been searching for hours on the net but I haven't had any luck finding out what these things are. I was thinking spring tails but spring tails seem more complex than these if that makes any sense.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
The orange object in the picture is a tic-tac... coins reflected too much light.
Thanks, Johnny in NY. (06/13/2007)
By Johnny
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
The tiny bugs in my house (on walls) kind of look like the ones in johnny's picture. They resemble a millipede/worm but they are REALLY tiny. These bugs are clover mites. (08/13/2007)
By aaron
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
Bay leaves work well for these bugs. After washing your cupboards out lay bay leaves inside, not many and the bay leaves can stay for months. I have used these many times in many houses I have cleaned. (12/21/2007)
Someone suggested using Wrigley's spearmint unwrapped gum sticks all around affected area. They also said they were called clover mites. I bet spearmint oil might work also, I am going to try it now. (03/17/2008)
By jo sheldon
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
Just wanted to say a big thank you to newyork062. We just got these same things and didn't know how I'd ever find out what they were. I did a search for "tiny bugs" and this popped up. Perfect! Never heard of clover mites before but I am now empowered to get rid of them. Thanks again! ~Tucson, AZ. (03/24/2008)
By Wendi
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
I found these tiny reddish-brown worm like bugs in my house. They seem to like dark warm places like under the heating vent or in a pile of dirty cloths. Any one know what these might be? I also know they shed their skins. They almost look like those bugs in that picture, but they're not clover mites. (04/14/2008)
By christina
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
These little bugs are very small and remind me of microscopic silverfish. They are on my desk and under my papers, etc. They kind of jump a little when you're trying to smash them with your fingertip. Yes, they are tiny and probably no harm, but enough is enough already. Gum, bay leaves, what else? (06/09/2008)
By Tom Doligale
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
I found these little tiny bugs on my window sill that has my air conditioner in it. They look like dust or the end of a pin, like a white to gray color and don't leave a mark when they are squished. But I get itchy when I touch them and if I try to squish them, then they jump or move quickly. What are they? Has anyone tried the gum thing? Does it really work? (08/01/2008)
By dee
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
I don't know what they are either, but I cleaned my bedroom and they were there. They are tiny black on top and white on bottom, and have given me bites before. How do I get rid of them? What are they? (08/25/2008)
By rachel b.
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
They are carpet beetles. (09/09/2008)
By b
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
I know I don't have clover mites. I don't know what it is that I live with, but maybe someone can help me. I have little tiny worms that don't look like centipedes. They don't have many legs, are a reddish brown, and tiny. They like to hang around my dirty clothes and live in my base boards, but I see them all around my house. I can't find a pic of them anywhere and they so far don't seen to be harmful, but I would like to get rid of them. Can someone please help me? (11/16/2008)
By roxxy.
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
I am infested with these things. I've seen some which are white, black; white on one side, black on the other. I've seen the little worm. Nothing has succeeded against them.
I just realized that I first began to notice these tiny things after I eradicated fleas from my dog and yard. Maybe fleas eat these little things.
I've been infested now for six months - they are literally killing me. Physical ailments are worsening and am becoming "foggy". Perhaps these are the Morgellon's pest reported by some. Perhaps this is the noisome and grievous boil spoke of in Revelations. (11/25/2008)
By Tom - JAX, FL
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
Tom, I don't think a bug can be called a boil so I think you're safe there and fleas don't eat bugs. Catch some and take them to the local extension service and ask them. (11/25/2008)
Last night I woke up from a bite from a bug that looks like a scorpion. It was black but long with two fangs. I crushed it but it stung me. It's a black bug, long, and has two fangs. It is not a scorpion, but looks like it. What bug can that be, and is it dangerous or harmful? It looks like an earwig. (12/23/2008)
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
Around my window sill I've been finding round, small, black, yellow, brown (and a tiny bit of white), bugs, they are absolutely tiny, and really hard to notice, but I want to research them to find out what they are and if they bite or how to get rid of them etc.
Please help.
contact me at:
Jennie-733199 AT hotmail.co.uk (02/26/2009)
By Margaret
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
About the post for the little reddish brown bugs. I found 2 just like that in my bed, on separate days over the past week. I am freaked out, what are they? I have cats so maybe they came off the cats?
They don't look like bed bugs and I thought carpet beetles are hairy with legs. These are like little red larvae worm things. I don't see fur, legs, a head or anything distinguishable. They are so small I can't take a picture.
(02/26/2009)
RE: Tiny Bugs In My House
Hi,
Two nights last week my wife was bitten several times by some unknown bug as we slept. The bites were clustered together and they swelled up similar to mosquito bites, but "hurt" more. So we searched and searched for some sort of bug, but couldn't find anything. Every so often I'd re check the bed and then I started poking at bits of lint and then one lint ball. It wasn't a lint ball, but some tiny BUG! I rushed to get a glass and trap it.
Finally a suspect, an incredibly small suspect. So with specimen in hand I searched the internet for it and came across nothing really concrete until this thread. It looked just like those pictured with the tic tac on this thread. So I had a buddy come by with his DSLR and super-macro lens and we had a picture of it up close. Can any one ID this critter?
Also if you'd bother them, it will roll up into a ball slightly bigger than a poppy seed. (03/08/2009)
