Indoor Pest Control - Help - not sure how to get rid of these tiny bugs?

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tme
04-25-06, 08:42 AM
Hi, I have had a problem with these little bugs for over a year now. They disappeared in the winter but are back now that its spring.

They are in my living room near a bay window. I have tried using Home Defense in the cracks on the baseboard, etc. But they keep coming back. I have been vaccuuming just to get rid of them temporarily.

First step would be to identify them. Any help would be appreciated. Not sure if I need to call a professional company yet.

I had a plant in that bay window, and I removed it two weeks ago to see if it was the cause. But they are still around.

Thanks.

Please see these links for pics:

http://www4.ncsu.edu/~tmelcala/dsc00720.jpg
http://www4.ncsu.edu/~tmelcala/dsc00721.jpg
http://www4.ncsu.edu/~tmelcala/dsc00722.jpg
http://www4.ncsu.edu/~tmelcala/dsc00723.jpg


Annette
04-25-06, 12:45 PM
do they fly or crawl?? they look like gnats?

tme
04-25-06, 12:48 PM
They only crawl. Sometimes they squash on the wall when trying to remove and leave a orangish liquid smear :(


twelvepole
04-25-06, 01:45 PM
Pictures are not large enough for close-up identification. You can pick up some on some clear sticky tape and take to the Dept. of Agriculture Extension Agent for identification and recommended control. These pests could be the larva of a Dermestid beetle. This family includes carpet beetles and some species of pantry pests that attack stored grain products. Many grain and rice weevils are similar in appearance. If you have stored grain products (rice, pasta, flour, cereal, bird seed, dog food, dried flower arrangements, or other), check for infestation. All grain products should be stored in airtight containers. Discard infested products. Vacuum every nook and cranny. Gaps along baseboards and interior trim can be sprayed with residual insecticide or puffed with powdered insecticide.

tme
04-26-06, 07:27 AM
Thanks for the response twelvepole. I checked most of the grain products in my pantry and they dont have infestation. Also they are coming out from the living room bay window which is far from the food products.

I vaccummed the pantry and the living room, then sprayed with Home defense. Not sure if I should be using another product.

I will call the NC Dept of Agrictultural Ext Agent to see if I can bring this in to identify.

DIYaddict
04-26-06, 09:24 AM
You can look here to see if you can find what you have in the meantime if you want. I was trying to look for what you have but it's hard to tell. (I started getting itchy and kinda grossed out lookin' at all these bugs, but it's pretty interesting!)

http://www.pestcontrolcanada.com/Questions/What%20is%20this%20pest.htm

Just copy and paste the site... :)

Can u post back when you find out what they are? I'm curious to know...

tme
04-26-06, 12:54 PM
I called the NC agricultural ext office. They referred me to NC state's PDIC. I'm going to take sample to them on Friday.

Thanks for the site DIYADDICT. I looked through and one of the pics had them all over the windows/baseboards. Similar to mine.

http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/pests/g07358.htm

After I read about these clover mites, they seem similar to what I have, but who knows.

Hoasup
04-28-06, 12:26 PM
TME,

I'm having the same problem with those bugs around my windows and my house is only 10 months old.

Please keep us posted with your finding.

tme
04-28-06, 12:59 PM
I went to see a professor at NC State University today. I took a sample for him, and he confirmed that they are clover mites.

He referred me to the following article.
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/lawn/note124/note124.html

The treatment is outdoors. They are feed on the lawn and weeds.

I will go to Lowe's to see if they have the chemicals mentioned.

Good luck Hoasup and happy vaccuuming!

twelvepole
04-28-06, 01:32 PM
Clover mites are usually colorful--reddish-brown to olive to pale orange or sometimes green-brown after feeding. Eliminate vegetation around perimeter of home to out about a foot and one-half. Apply residual insecticide on foundation and soil, window and door sills. Seal any gaps or cracks where pests may enter, including gaps around where wires and pipes enter the home. A residual insecticide for indoors can be sprayed along baseboards and areas where pests seem to appear. A powdered insecticide can be puffed into areas where spray can not reach.