Insect id required...I am getting freaked out

kelza · #1 (**permalink**) 30-08-2011, 10:09 AM

I have recently moved to a new place and i keep finding these weird looking insects.

i am freaked out because i have been at work for 3 hours and i have had one of these things (adult form) crawling up my shoulder.

the only way i can describe them is they are they have a woodlouse type top body (that wriggles - so they almost look snake like but with legs). I would say they have at least 8 legs. and they dont have antena until they are large and slower.

I am finding these in my carpet ( and the quick little buggers scatter really quickly and hide in the gaps between the skirting board & carpet) they are obviously finding a route to my clothes (all but my boots i am wearing were on the top shelf of a wardrobe).

I do know that they like warm areas (i.e i found about 30 of them under an extension cable while i was hoovering - they scattered so fast in all directions)

I hate things that crawl around and i am becoming more and more petrified the more i find and where every day.

should i ring my local council or contact my housing authority to get them to do something about this?? i am worried the winter will spring out more of them.

the front part of my garden (which is my neighbours) is seriously over grown could this be helping these little critters along??

i have yet to get a picture of either the baby ones or the adult ones but now i cannot seem to stop scratching.

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 30-08-2011, 10:13 AM

Silverfish?

triops · #3 (**permalink**) 30-08-2011, 10:34 AM

If you post a picture your creatures will be identified immediately, saving lots of speculation.

galanthophile · #4 (**permalink**) 30-08-2011, 11:02 AM

I would definitely contact your local authority - no-one should have to put up with that. Hope you get rid of them. Some insects are beneficial and harmless but these sound like a real problem for you. Good luck!

Matt Smith · #5 (**permalink**) 30-08-2011, 06:19 PM

Sounds like Silverfish as has been suggested. They are harmless and live on things like crumbs and other small bits of carbohydrate - I doubt very much if they are coming in from the garden as they are really household beasts.

Check under and around the skirting boards and cupboards, is there a hidden spill of grains or flour or cereal fallen down into the void behind / under the kitchen units that might be providing a source of food for them?