Small Beetle Mystery

Ant-i · #1 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 03:10 AM

I have had a recent outbreak of very small Beetles crawling around my bedroom and I have no idea what they are!
At the same time as the beetles coming in I also noticed a few holes in the wall above my bed - each in sets of two. In each set of two holes the said two are always exactly 2 inches apart from each other. More recently more holes have appeared.
Also Recently I have found many dead on my window sill (about 20-30 at a time. When I clear them away roughly the same about reappear within a couple of days.
They are very small (about 2 mm in length each), they have a hard shell and wings and the amount of living ones in my room have greatly decreased. There used to be crawling on just about every surface (about 2 on each one) and I wasn't sure what to do about it - I usually see only 2-3 a day and they may just be the same one.
They seem to enjoy light as they were often found around my bedside lamp or on my monitor (and later started hanging around the lampshade of the main light in my room).

Now I see them rarely. One on my computer monitor every now and again and they are seen every now and then on fabrics like duvets (not the one on my bed however - another one which is in my room.

I do not have much knowledge on the topic of insects and beetles (although I have recently become more interested). I would like to know more about these beetles and would be grateful if anyone could help out in telling me more about this creature and the situation (like the holes in the wall).

I have photos but I cannot currently upload them.
They will, however be uploaded later.

Paul mabbott · #2 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 08:29 AM

Welcome. It will be interesting to see the pictures. You don't say how long the beetles are. What is your wall made of?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant-i

I have had a recent outbreak of very small Beetles crawling around my bedroom and I have no idea what they are!
At the same time as the beetles coming in I also noticed a few holes in the wall above my bed - each in sets of two. In each set of two holes the said two are always exactly 2 inches apart from each other. More recently more holes have appeared.
Also Recently I have found many dead on my window sill (about 20-30 at a time. When I clear them away roughly the same about reappear within a couple of days.
They are very small (about 2 mm in length each), they have a hard shell and wings and the amount of living ones in my room have greatly decreased. There used to be crawling on just about every surface (about 2 on each one) and I wasn't sure what to do about it - I usually see only 2-3 a day and they may just be the same one.
They seem to enjoy light as they were often found around my bedside lamp or on my monitor (and later started hanging around the lampshade of the main light in my room).

Now I see them rarely. One on my computer monitor every now and again and they are seen every now and then on fabrics like duvets (not the one on my bed however - another one which is in my room.

I do not have much knowledge on the topic of insects and beetles (although I have recently become more interested). I would like to know more about these beetles and would be grateful if anyone could help out in telling me more about this creature and the situation (like the holes in the wall).

I have photos but I cannot currently upload them.
They will, however be uploaded later.

Ant-i · #3 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 01:31 PM

The beetles are about 1-2mm in length.
The wall is brick (wall between inside and outside).

There are quite a few pictures (12) so it's probably easiest for me to upload them as a file on a website. I will include 2 pictures though In this post uploaded.

Paul mabbott · #4 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 05:49 PM

From the shape of that beetle (can't see too much detail) that looks like a "woodworm" such as Ptilinus pecticornis or related species - would really need to see much more detail for a diagnosis.

PS: whatever it is, I suspect it's going to need some nasty remedial treatment ......

Ant-i · #5 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 06:49 PM

Thanks for the reply - That is a bit worrying. After looking around a bit more on the internet I think it may be 'Anobium punctatum'. I have also seen another beetle in my room - although only once. After doing research I found it is a Rove beetle - I think it was a type of rove beetle.

Paul mabbott · #6 (**permalink**) 12-07-2007, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant-i

Thanks for the reply - That is a bit worrying. After looking around a bit more on the internet I think it may be 'Anobium punctatum'. I have also seen another beetle in my room - although only once. After doing research I found it is a Rove beetle - I think it was a type of rove beetle.

You'll find almost everything eventually - many beetles, like many other insects are attracted to light so will come through open windows at night. They're no problem, just throw them out! Wood-boring beetles, on the other hand can cause serious damage and need to be treated. Best get someone to examine one of the specimens (I'm not a professional but send me a mail off group if you want me to look at one ...

)