Mystery beetles in bathroom - please help ID!

[beetled-out]

Hello there,

I've been scanning the internet and this forum for an ID on some beetles that have turned up in our bathroom but have only succeeded in confusing myself...

I'll describe them as best I can (no expert on the terminology etc, so bear with me!)

These beetles are 2-3mm long. They are brown, and have quite long legs - almost like a flea's legs in that they seem to be jointed? They have fairly long antenae, smooth slightly rounded bodies (which seem to have faint grooves/marks running from head to bum rather than across the body).

I always find them in the same place in my (carpeted) bathroom which is around the bottom of the pedestal sink, and occasionally in the sink itself. They are not at all shy, and not remotely nocturnal as I usually find them during the day ambling about on the carpet. They don't seem to fly. I usually only see one at a time, at a rate of one per day for the last week.

When picked up (if alive - sometimes I find dead ones) they sort of 'rear up' on their legs and waggle their antennae about like mad.

I've been scaring myself silly about bed bugs as I did find one dead, dried out one in our bedroom (next to the bathroom), but these are definitely not flat, and when squished there is just a creamy goo inside, no blood etc.

Any ideas? Our house is a 1920's semi, we have two cats who are regularly treated for fleas etc but who do bring in dead birds/mice on occasion.

I've done my best with a photo of three of them captured recently - I apologies for the quality, it's not really what my camera was made for!



(I really hope this works)

Thanks in advance

[Jason Green]

Afternoon B-O, and welcome to WAB!

Interesting, I've never seen one for myself before - though they certainly aren't rare! They look like so-called Spider Beetles, domesticated insects.

Take care,

Jason

[beetled-out]

Wow - that was quick! I've googled Spider Beetles before (I have possibly googled every beetle known to man in the last week) but although these similar, they aren't as bulbous?

Main thing I'm worried about is whether or not they might be bed bugs

[Jason Green]

Definately not bed-bugs, and they look to be as globular as I'd expect for these

[beetled-out]

Have done another google search and admit they do seem to look a bit like the Australian Spider Beetle. Am I right that these can come from birds' nests? Thinking about it, there is a starling's nest in the roof just above the bathroom - with a brick vent close by (and just above the sink). Could that be it? Otherwise why would they be in the bathroom of all places?

Good news that it's not bed bugs though, I have been freaking out to put it mildly.

[Jason Green]

Yes, they may hail from the nest, though bathrooms are often one of the likely places for a domesticated invertebrate to inhabit.

[beetled-out]

Thanks Jason

Although, now I'm looking for them, I've just discovered two ambling around in the dining room, and one in a bedroom - cue more hyperventilating about bed bugs. Is it 100% certain they're not bed bugs?

Assuming they are some sort of spider beetle, do I need to worry about them, or just leave them to go about their business?

[Jason Green]

Definately not BBs. Just have a clean in the areas you find them.