What Insects are these?

lisacat · #1 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 02:16 PM

Lately i have been finding very miniscule crawling insects in my living room, on the floor. I only find them when i am sweeping up, they are amongst the dust and crumbs and look similar to a speck of dust or crumb however they move very quickly. On closer inspection they seem to have 3 segments, one being yellow(the large segment) and the rest being dark brown or black. This is without the use of a magnifying glass by the way - i am sure i would be able to see a lot more detail with one.

I would like to know what they are, if anyone else has experienced them...and if they are harmful? I have a rabbit in my living room in a cage, however she has a spot-on treatment for flies and mites so i'm not quite sure if these will affect her as she gets let out of her cage to run around frequently...or, if, in fact they ARE coming from her themselves. I'm curious!

Thanks!

Jason Green · #2 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 06:13 PM

Hi Lisa, and welcome to WAB!

It sounds like Carpet Beetle larvae. I don't know of eradication methods, though sweeping or vacuuming should at least dent their populations. As for the bun, it shouldn't harm him/her - but maybe just check her paws for any when putting her back from a run around!

Take care,

Jason

Acutipuerilis · #3 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 09:37 PM

Carpet beetle, Jason? Doesn't sound like any I've ever seen!

I reckon you've got booklice there, Lisa. Practically harmless unless you have huge numbers, and almost every house has them. Well spotted if it is them!

lisacat · #4 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 09:43 PM

I don't think it's carpet beetle larvae as those are normally bigger right? These things look like grains of somesort but on closer inspection they actually move! lol.

Hm booklice, without books? That's pretty odd but it definitely sounds more similar to this...actually, booklice love paper right? We have to put newspaper down frequently where my bunny likes to do her business, so now that you've mentioned it..it does make sense! They don't attach themselves to hosts do they, as with other lice? I'd hate to think of getting bitten by them or my rabbit getting bitten as she's very old now and i don't want any harm to come to her.

Thanks for the input!

Acutipuerilis · #5 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 10:14 PM

Booklice will actually feed on practically any organic detritus; most of the time they eat dust. And no, they don't bite at all, so nothing for your rabbit to worry about!

Jason Green · #6 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acutipuerilis

Booklice will actually feed on practically any organic detritus; most of the time they eat dust. And no, they don't bite at all, so nothing for your rabbit to worry about!

...'how many calories, dust? How many calories, dust?' Anyone recognise that? I think I'll stop rabbiting on...

Yes, quite right - I overlooked the size in the description. Apologies! The Psocopterans form an interesting Order; have you ever heard of Barkflies, Lisa?

lisacat · #7 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 10:55 PM

Right, phew! I have had so many problems with headlice in the past i'm starting to think everything will attach themselves onto me.

So no wonder i have been finding them when sweeping up, i would usually hoover but it's broken. I bet they were there all along only now i am noticing them more. Do you think it's weird to have a lot on the floor then? By a lot i mean, i find one or two everytime i sweep up.

Well i've heard of them now!