Need help identifying an insect

[JellyP]

Hi!!

Need some help identifying an insect that seems to be gradually taking over my flat!

They're super small, the largest I've seen is about 3mm, they're black and if I look at them really close their bodies look to be made of three parts - head, middle bit and a back - and it looks like they have six legs. Initially I found them behind a piece of furniture when I started redecorating but now I'm finding them all over the place, running around up walls, doors and along surfaces. I'd take a photo but they're way too small and they're super speedy.

Anyone know what they are?

[Matt Smith]

Any wings? Do you have any potted plants in the room?

[tristanba]

could they be ants?

[Jason Green]

Afternoon Jelly, and welcome to WAB!

Could it be this little beetle?

Length: 4mm

This one is Anobium punctatum.

Take care,

Jason

[JellyP]

The insects don't have any wings, they definitely aren't ants and I don't have any pot plants as I have a habit of killing them

They're similar to the one in the photo but they have an extra bit of body between their head and back bit.

I found what I can only assume are babies last night. They're translucent grey in colour and remind me a little of baby woodlice but they aren't because they look like the black older ones.

Most of the time I've found them behind things, like furniture, but just recently they're showing up everywhere. I've had a lot of damp problems in my flat in the post, could that have attracted them?

[Jason Green]

Ah! How about a domestic Booklouse?

Length: 2-3mm

[JellyP]

Kind of like that but the back end is more rounded like the other one and they're jet black. Apart from the baby ones that is!

[Jason Green]

Um... this? http://www.dpughphoto.com/images/boo...am%2050108.JPG

Don't worry if the colour isn't like yours - go by the shape, the colour may be species-specific. This again is a booklouse, and black ones are very common in cupboards across the country. You may not get it fully resolved to species-level as these are so tiny. They often need putting under the microscope!

[JellyP]

That's more like it!!! They aren't anything to worry about are they?

[Jason Green]

No, they aren't a concern. They tend to feed on mould I believe, or glue in book binding. If you keep the air dry in the area then mildew shouldn't develop and thus their food supply would reduce - and subsequently their population too.

Glad we have the ID sorted, pretty much!