Weird bug question

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

<p>It's winter so I'm kinda wondering why I'm getting these tiny little hard-shelled black bugs around my sink and stove. I keep the area clean and sometimes I pour bleach down the drains just to kill whatevers down there.</p><p>Anyone know what the hell they are? They're just in my kitchen. At first I thought they were a few burnt toast crumbs until they moved!&nbsp;</p>

[CofyCrakCocaine]

You might need an exterminator. Don't know the name of the bugs, if you find a picture of them post it. Your kitchen is probably infested. You live in an apartment right? At least they're not&nbsp; cave crickets.

[angelinad128]

Tiny, black shelled bugs...isn't that bed bugs? I know they are in your kitchen but isn't that the same description for them?

[Death Metal Moe]

<strong>CofyCrakCocaine</strong> wrote:<br />You might need an exterminator. Don't know the name of the bugs, if you find a picture of them post it. Your kitchen is probably infested. You live in an apartment right? At least they're not&nbsp; <strong><u>cave crickets.</u></strong> <p><img src="http://www.womanrock.com/features/images/ani_difranco_2.jpg" border="0" width="200" height="200" /></p>

[feralBoy]

<p>Maybe this will help.&nbsp; It has pictures and descriptions of a bunch of household bugs.</p><p><a href="http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/pdf/commoninsects.pdf" target="_blank">http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/pdf/commoninsects.pdf</a></p>

[Jujubees2]

<font size="2">Have you checked your food stuffs for the&nbsp;bugs?&nbsp; Try checking any flour or sugar bags (or any other open containers)&nbsp;as bugs love to live in those.</font>

[jeffdwright2001]

<hr color="cococo" align="left"></font><strong>angelinad128</strong> wrote:<br>Tiny, black shelled bugs...isn't that bed bugs? I know they are in your kitchen but isn't that the same description for them?<hr color="cococo" align="left"><p></p>

I don't think they are bed bugs:
Adult bedbugs are approximately 3/16-inch long, oval, flat and rusty red or mahogany colored. Bedbugs are flat and thin when unfed, but become more elongate, plump and red in color when they are full of blood. They have four-segmented antennae that are attached to the head between the prominent compound eyes. The two-segmented beak is located beneath the head passing back between the front legs. Bedbugs cannot fly.

Biology
Bedbugs tend to live in clusters and hide in cracks and crevices which are nesting areas during the day, preferring wood or paper surfaces to those of stone or plaster. Bedbugs feed exclusively at night. They will crawl under the moldings living between the carpet and the wood. They will also get into electrical outlets, under switch plate covers and behind paneling and wallpaper. Bedbugs leave these harborage areas at night to feed on their hosts, which include man, birds, hogs and the family pets. Over time the harborage areas become filled with the molted skins, feces and old egg shells of the resident bedbugs. These areas have a characteristic smell caused by a secretion that the bedbugs emit.

Female bedbugs lay about 200 to 500 eggs in their lifetime. They glue their eggs in the cracks and crevices in the harborage areas. Under ideal conditions, eggs hatch in about seven days and the nymphs molt five times, taking a blood meal between each molt. It takes about 50 days for them to become adults.

Some individuals react to the bite of the bedbug while others are unaware of its feeding activity. The bite area may become inflamed and itch severely in sensitive people.

<p></p>

It sounds more like a type of beetle (perhaps a carpet beetle?).

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by jeffdwright2001 on 1-24-07 @ 3:10 PM</span>

[Team_Ramrod]

<p>I used to get those at my old house. Only in the summer though. They would come out of my Kitchen drain, my tub drain...anywhere with a drain pipe. All I know is they are hard to squish, I don't know the name or how to get rid of them but I'd assume that if you're using bleach you will need to use a whole lot.</p>

[ralphbxny]

I think this warm winter has helped bugs live out a little longer.

[Sheeplovr]

<p>rolly polly?</p><p>you need pics of these bugs</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

<p>I don't think they're bed bugs. They squish really easily. I've had them before in the summer. I'm still checking on line as to what they are. <br /> </p><p>Better start chucking some of my food.</p><p>I remember years ago we had a moth infestation. I think they came from cereal boxes at the supermarket (a good, reputable one). You could literally see moths flying around the cereal aisle. We stopped buying cereal, kept *everything* in the fridge. One time I opened a container of oatmeal and there was a cocoon&nbsp; over the opening of the lid! </p><p>Fuckers ate my wall hangings from Colorado!&nbsp;</p>

[PhishHead]

couldnt it just be a water bug?

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

<p>Noooo way! I had water bugs when I lived in the Bronx. These are no water bugs! Water bugs are HUGE!! And I've stepped on one. Barefoot. It's antenae were still wiggling. </p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[blakjeezis]

<span class="postbody"><p>Maybe this will help.&nbsp; It has pictures and descriptions of a bunch of household bugs.</p><p><a href="http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/pdf/commoninsects.pdf" target="_blank">http://paipm.cas.psu.edu/pdf/commoninsects.pdf</a></p><p>I'm so fuckin' itchy. &nbsp;</p></span>

[FUNKMAN]

<strong>Alice S. Fuzzybutt</strong> wrote:<br /><p>It's winter so I'm kinda wondering why I'm getting these tiny little <strong><font size="2">hard-shelled black bugs</font></strong> around my sink and stove. I keep the area clean and sometimes I pour bleach down the drains just to kill whatevers down there.</p><p>Anyone know what the hell they are? They're just in my kitchen. At first I thought they were a few burnt toast crumbs until they moved!&nbsp;</p><p>chiggers?</p>

[Jujubees2]

<strong>FUNKMAN</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Alice S. Fuzzybutt</strong> wrote:<br /><p>It's winter so I'm kinda wondering why I'm getting these tiny little <strong><font size="2">hard-shelled black bugs</font></strong> around my sink and stove. I keep the area clean and sometimes I pour bleach down the drains just to kill whatevers down there.</p><p>Anyone know what the hell they are? They're just in my kitchen. At first I thought they were a few burnt toast crumbs until they moved!&nbsp;</p><p>chiggers?</p><p><font size="2">Hey watch it there budday.&nbsp; Let's just call them BLACK bugs.</font></p>

[Wallower]

<p>Do they look anything like this?</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/5813/images2ou.jpg" border="0" width="106" height="100" /> </p><p>They could be buzzy beetles. You should call a plumber. </p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by Wallower on 1-24-07 @ 5:53 PM</span>

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

<p>They're not chiggers.</p><p>I don't have too many of them. They don't move a lot. I think I've seen them fly in the summer. </p><p>And that link to the PDF file doesn't work for me.&nbsp;</p>

[Bossanova]

<p>I know its hard to describe how small, but smaller than a tick?</p><p>I use to work for a pest control company in the summers during college.</p>

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

Yes, tiny, like a few millimeters at best.

[Bossanova]

They may possibly be grain beetles.&nbsp; Any food products in packaging near the sink.

[Bossanova]

Its possible that they are in&nbsp;the seams of your cabinets/counters not just the drain.&nbsp; They are found in flour or grains (obviosly). They may be near the sink looking for a water source

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

<p>Ok, I've cleared off my counter, thrown out food, and found oodles of the buggers. But 90% of them were already dead. I don't know if I should consider this a good or bad thing considering I have cats. </p><p>Onto the cabinets. </p><p>I should call an exterminator, right?&nbsp;</p>

[Bossanova]

They aren't harmful, just a pain in the ass.&nbsp; Perhaps leave the food out of the counter for a day or two and see if more appear.&nbsp; Any food you don't want to toss that was near the other food, you can freeze it.&nbsp; No food, they shouldn't survive.&nbsp; If they continue, then I would call.&nbsp; I know its a pain in the ass, but you can avoid pest control if you remove their food source.

[Chigworthy]

Those are Curse Bugs.&nbsp; Someone has cursed your bloodline for eternity.&nbsp; I'm guessing you probably got oral in the car and ran over a gypsy of some sort.

[Bob Impact]

<p>I don't know how you've gone this long without an exterminator, I've got one on speeddial.&nbsp; It sounds like grain beetles to me, we had them in the babyfood aisle of a pharmacy I worked at years ago, it was awful and disgusting.&nbsp; I think we actually had Merchant beetles, but they all fall under the same category. </p><p>&nbsp;Three years ago we had an infestation of ladybugs, it got so bad that in the space of two days there was about three inches of living and dead ladybugs in between my the screen and glass of my downstairs windows. It was like a moving mass of red and black.&nbsp; Yech. </p>

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

<p>Like I said, 90% of them are dead. The rest are ZOMBIE BUGS.</p><p>I've been given sound advice. I've cleaned out my cabinets and will try to get the condo association to bring back exterminating once or twice a year.&nbsp;</p>

[Kathleen From The Bronx]

<strong>Alice S. Fuzzybutt</strong> wrote:<br /><p>&nbsp;One time I opened a container of oatmeal and there was a cocoon&nbsp; over the opening of the lid! </p><p><font size="2">This is almost making me cry....oh man... shudder, shudder.....Reminds me of the time I went to open this unopened, new bag of brown rice...As I grabbed it I had the fleating thought.... &quot;Oh I thought I bought brown rice, looks like ya picked up wild rice, lady.&quot; Upon opening it and taking a closer look, no, nooo....'twas not wild rice but, sick, sick skinny bugs reaking havoc, havin a field day....actin like they owned the fuckin place...... Oh horrifying... Ahhh....screaming again....cocoons..... Dear God, I may never sleep.... </font></p><p><font size="2">Maybe yer wondering why I opened this thread, as I am so lily-livered! Why did i think I could help??? I dunnooo....</font></p><p><font size="2">Well I'm glad you got to the root of ya tiny black bug problem!</font></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[FUNKMAN]

<strong>bronxy</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Alice S. Fuzzybutt</strong> wrote:<br /><p>&nbsp;One time I opened a container of oatmeal and there was a cocoon&nbsp; over the opening of the lid! </p><p><font size="2">This is almost making me cry....oh man... shudder, shudder.....Reminds me of the time I went to open this unopened, new bag of brown rice...As I grabbed it I had the fleating thought.... &quot;Oh I thought I bought brown rice, looks like ya picked up wild rice, lady.&quot; Upon opening it and taking a closer look, no, nooo....'twas not wild rice but, sick, sick skinny bugs reaking havoc, havin a field day....actin like they owned the fuckin place...... Oh horrifying... Ahhh....screaming again....cocoons..... Dear God, I may never sleep.... </font></p><p><font size="2">Maybe yer wondering why I opened this thread, as I am so lily-livered! Why did i think I could help??? I dunnooo....</font></p><p><font size="2">Well I'm glad you got to the root of ya tiny black bug problem!</font></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><font size="2">finding a little worm in the lettuce really bugs me... no pun intended</font></p><p><font size="2">always makes me think of the dad swallowing the worm in Poltergeist, yucky doodle!</font></p>

[jeffdwright2001]

<strong>Bob Impact</strong> wrote:<br /><p>It sounds like grain beetles to me, we had them in the babyfood aisle of a pharmacy I worked at years ago . . . &nbsp;</p><p><strong>&nbsp;I think we actually had Merchant beetles</strong>, but they all fall under the same category. </p><p>That would make sense, you were in a place of commerce.&nbsp; Did you name them all Natalie?</p>

[Andomray]

I just found bugs in my basmati rice...fuckers.ÿ I'd take a picture, but I don't want to touch them.ÿ I hate bugs.<br /><br /><br /><br />And here's a disgusting story:ÿ I used to love edamame.ÿ I'd eat it all the time.ÿ I went to a supermarket and bought the organic kind, as it was the only one available.ÿ So, I go home, cook it up, start eating...and I bite into one...look down at it...and there's some sort of white larva in there, sittin' pretty in the pod.ÿ Luckily I made it to the garbage can, and puked up everything.ÿ It was the most disgusting moment of my life...I haven't eaten edamame since.ÿ I actually feel queasy right now...ugh.

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by Andomray on 1-25-07 @ 9:24 AM</span>

[FUNKMAN]

<strong>Andomray</strong> wrote:<br />I just found bugs in my basmati rice...fuckers.&nbsp; I'd take a picture, but I don't want to touch them.&nbsp; I hate bugs.<br /><br /><br /><br />And here's a disgusting story:&nbsp; I used to love edamame.&nbsp; I'd eat it all the time.&nbsp; I went to a supermarket and bought the organic kind, as it was the only one available.&nbsp; So, I go home, cook it up, start eating...and I bite into one...look down at it...and there's some sort of white larva in there, sittin' pretty in the pod.&nbsp; Luckily I made it to the garbage can, and puked up everything.&nbsp; It was the most disgusting moment of my life...I haven't eaten edamame since.&nbsp; I actually feel queasy right now...ugh.<span class="post_edited">&nbsp; </span><p>thanks, i just threw up in my mouth a little bit</p><p>luckily i was able to swallow it all back down....</p>

[Andomray]

<strong>FUNKMAN</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Andomray</strong> wrote:<br />I just found bugs in my basmati rice...fuckers.ÿ I'd take a picture, but I don't want to touch them.ÿ I hate bugs.<br /><br /><br /><br />And here's a disgusting story:ÿ I used to love edamame.ÿ I'd eat it all the time.ÿ I went to a supermarket and bought the organic kind, as it was the only one available.ÿ So, I go home, cook it up, start eating...and I bite into one...look down at it...and there's some sort of white larva in there, sittin' pretty in the pod.ÿ Luckily I made it to the garbage can, and puked up everything.ÿ It was the most disgusting moment of my life...I haven't eaten edamame since.ÿ I actually feel queasy right now...ugh.<span class="post_edited">&nbsp; </span><p>thanks, i just threw up in my mouth a little bit</p><p>luckily i was able to swallow it all back down....</p><p>&nbsp;Tastes a little better the second time around, no?</p>

[FUNKMAN]

<strong>Andomray</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>FUNKMAN</strong> wrote:<br /><strong>Andomray</strong> wrote:<br />I just found bugs in my basmati rice...fuckers.&nbsp; I'd take a picture, but I don't want to touch them.&nbsp; I hate bugs.<br /><br /><br /><br />And here's a disgusting story:&nbsp; I used to love edamame.&nbsp; I'd eat it all the time.&nbsp; I went to a supermarket and bought the organic kind, as it was the only one available.&nbsp; So, I go home, cook it up, start eating...and I bite into one...look down at it...and there's some sort of white larva in there, sittin' pretty in the pod.&nbsp; Luckily I made it to the garbage can, and puked up everything.&nbsp; It was the most disgusting moment of my life...I haven't eaten edamame since.&nbsp; I actually feel queasy right now...ugh.<span class="post_edited">&nbsp; </span><p>thanks, i just threw up in my mouth a little bit</p><p>luckily i was able to swallow it all back down....</p><p>&nbsp;Tastes a little better the second time around, no?</p><p>yes, very much so....</p>

[Chigworthy]

<p>Sounds like you accidentally got maggot peas instead of edamame.&nbsp; Maggot peas are just like edamame with maggots.</p>

[Jujubees2]

<strong>Chigworthy</strong> wrote:<br /><p>Sounds like you accidentally got maggot peas instead of edamame.&nbsp; Maggot peas are just like edamame with maggots.</p><p><font size="2">Damn, now I'm starving.&nbsp; Hey Earl, we got any maggot peas or edamame back there?</font></p>