All insects are annoying, but small house insects are the most distressing. What are the types of small house bugs? What do they look like? This guide provides detailed and simple answers to these questions and shows you how to get rid of these insects and prevent their return.
House insects sneak into our homes without us knowing and find an ideal environment for breeding and spreading if we allow it. They can damage furniture, contaminate food, or even transmit diseases. So, it is essential to know their description, appearance, and ways to eliminate them.
In previous guides, we discussed how to clean walls, Cleaning your kitchen, how to get rid of geckos, and the best way to clean a couch. Today, we discuss small house bugs with clear pictures and practical tips to help you identify and eliminate them.
Where Do Small House Bugs Breed?
Small house insects are attracted to places that provide them with food, water, humidity and shelter. They often exist in:
- Kitchens: Attracted by food remnants and scattered crumbs, especially in places hard to clean, like behind unclean kitchen appliances and under cabinets.
- Bathrooms: Drawn to moisture and warmth, such as in drains, under sinks, and in cracks and gaps.
- Bedrooms: These insects go to natural fibers in bedding and clothing and dead skin cells we shed during sleep.
- Living Rooms: Dark, quiet places attract insects, such as behind pictures, under furniture, and in corners.
1. House Dust Mites
House dust mites are microscopic insects that feed on dead skin cells shed by humans and pets. They can cause skin allergies, asthma, and other respiratory symptoms due to proteins in their feces and bodies.
House Mite Appearance:
- Oval-shaped and translucent or white.
- Very small, difficult to see with the naked eye.
- Size ranges between 0.2 and 0.5 mm.
House Mite Favorite Places:
- Bedding, clothing, and carpets.
- Prefer warm and humid places (70-80% relative humidity) and temperatures between 20-25°C.
Reasons for Presence:
- Thrive in humid environments.
- Feed on dead skin cells shed by humans and pets.
- Prefer warm temperatures.
Tips for Eliminating Dust Mites:
- Regularly wash bedding and clothes in hot water (60°C or higher) to kill mites and their eggs.
- Dry bedding and clothes in the sun or in a high-temperature dryer.
- Regularly clean carpets, curtains, and stuffed toys with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter.
- Use protective covers for mattresses, couches and pillows to prevent mites from reaching them.
- Reduce humidity in the house using a dehumidifier and by improving ventilation.
2. Bed Bugs
Bed Bugs are small insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They are among the most annoying house insects. Bed bugs can live for a long time without feeding, making them difficult to exterminate. Their bites cause itching and allergies and can lead to skin infections due to constant scratching, but they do not transmit diseases.
Bed Bugs Appearance:
- Oval-shaped and brown, sometimes turning red due to the blood they feed on.
- Size ranges between a poppy seed and a lentil, about 5-7 mm.
Favorite Places: Mattresses, cracks, and gaps in walls and furniture, especially around the bed frame and headboard.
How bed bugs enter your house:
- Bed bugs travel from place to place via luggage, second-hand clothing, and used furniture.
- Pets can bring bed bugs into the home too.
Tips for Eliminating Bed Bugs:
- Wash bedding and clothes in hot water (60°C or higher) to kill bed bugs and their eggs.
- Dry bedding and clothes in the sun or in a high-temperature dryer.
- Regularly clean the bed, cracks, and gaps in walls and furniture with a vacuum cleaner.
- Use protective covers for mattresses and pillows to prevent bed bugs from reaching these surfaces and breeding.
- Seal cracks and gaps in walls and furniture.
- Consider hiring a bed bugs exterminator if the infestation is severe.
3. Termites with Wings
Termites are small white ants that feed on wood and cause significant damage to homes. They live in organized colonies and feed on cellulose found in wood and other materials. Termites can cause serious structural damage to buildings and wooden structures. Pest control companies use various treatment techniques, such as chemical and thermal barriers, to control them.
Termites Appearance:
- Small insects resembling regular ants, but white or translucent.
- Their bodies are divided into three parts (head, thorax, and abdomen) with two pairs of wings of equal length.
- Length ranges from 4-15 mm.
Favorite Places: Wood and other organic materials.
What attracts termites:
- Termites thrive in humid environments.
- They can enter the home or storage through cracks and gaps in foundations or walls.
Tips for Preventing Termites Infestation:
- Remove decaying wood and other organic materials around the house, thus eliminating potential food sources for termites.
- Immediately fix water leaks to reduce humidity that attracts termites.
- Seal cracks and gaps in walls and floors to prevent termites from entering.
- Read our complete termite extermination guide.
4. Fruit Flies In Your House
Fruit flies are small brown insects that feed on rotting fruits and vegetables and fermented sugary substances. These annoying house bugs are an important model in genetic research and studies due to their short life cycle and rapid reproduction.
Fruit Fly Appearance:
- Small, round body with large red eyes.
- Length ranges between 3-4 mm.
Fruit Flies Favorite Places:
- Kitchens and bathrooms.
- Places where fruits and vegetables are stored.
- Places with any decaying organic materials from fruits or food.
Reasons For Fruit Flies Infestation:
- The smell of fermentation emitted by rotting fruits and vegetables attracts fruit flies.
- Fruit flies prefer moist environments.
- Fruit flies are attracted to fermented sugary substances like fruit juice, wine, and beer.
- They can reproduce quickly, with a life cycle from egg to adult taking about 8-10 days in optimal temperatures.
Tips for Preventing and Exterminating Fruit Flies:
- Immediately discard rotting fruits and vegetables.
- Refrigerate fruits and vegetables or store them in sealed containers to prevent rotting.
- Regularly clean places where fruits are kept with water and soap, then dry them, ensuring no food remnants or spilled liquids are present.
- Ensure the trash bin is tightly closed to prevent fruit flies from accessing organic waste.
- Use fruit fly traps containing sweet liquid or apple cider vinegar to attract and drown them. You can also make simple homemade traps using a glass jar, apple cider vinegar, and drops of dish soap.
- Fix any water leaks and dry wet surfaces to prevent fruit flies from breeding.
5. Book Lice
A Book Louse is a small insect that feed on paper, glue, and other organic materials found in books and documents.
Book Lice Appearance:
- Very small and elongated body, light brown or gray.
- Length ranges between 1-2 mm.
Favorite Places: Libraries, old books, and damp houses.
Reasons for Presence: Book lice increase in humid environments. These insects can breed in books and documents stored in poorly ventilated areas.
Tips for Eliminating Book Lice and Preventing Their Infestation:
- Store books, magazines, and old papers in dry, cool places.
- Regularly clean books and documents using a soft brush or dry cloth.
- Store books and documents in sealed plastic bags to protect them from book lice.
- Use a dehumidifier or improve ventilation to reduce humidity levels in the house.
6. Fleas: A Nightmare For You and Your Pets
Fleas are small insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals especially cats and dogs. They are are among the most annoying house insects that can infect pets and be transmitted to humans. Fleas can transmit serious diseases such as plague and typhus.
Fleas Appearance:
- Small, flattened body, dark brown color.
- Length ranges between 1-4 mm.
Favorite Places: Pet hair, carpets, furniture, and bedding.
How Fleas Enter Your House:
- Pets, especially dogs and cats, are the primary source of fleas in homes.
- Rodents and wild birds can carry fleas into the house too.
Tips for Eliminating Fleas:
- Use flea control products recommended by your veterinarian.
- Regularly clean carpets, furniture, and bedding with a vacuum cleaner.
- Wash pet bedding regularly in hot water.
- Consider hiring a professional Fleas Exterminator Service to combat fleas and kill them safely in the house.
7. Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles are small insects that feed on natural fibers found in carpets and furniture. These house insects can cause significant damage to natural fibers in your furniture.
What Carpet Beetles Look Like:
- Small, round body, brown or black color, or a mixture of both.
- Length ranges between 1-4 mm.
Favorite Places: Carpets, furniture, and clothing.
Reasons for Carpet Beetles Presence:
- Carpet beetles can breed in fabrics stored in unsuitable places.
- These insects feed on natural fibers like wool, fur, silk, and cotton.
- Carpet beetles find food in dust accumulated in carpets and furniture.
Tips for Preventing and Eliminating Carpet Beetles:
- Regularly clean carpets, furniture, and clothing with a vacuum cleaner.
- Wash clothes in hot water, as it helps kill carpet beetles, their eggs, and larvae.
- Store clothes and fabrics in sealed plastic bags to prevent carpet beetles from accessing them.
- In some cases, use insecticides if the damage from carpet beetles increases.
8. Silverfish Insects In Your House
Silverfish are small, shiny crawling insects that resemble fish and love moisture. They feed on carbohydrates, sugars, and other organic materials like paper, glue, and hair. They are known for their fast, wriggling movement resembling a fish.
Appearance:
- Long, flattened body, silver or gray color, resembling fish in structure.
- Length ranges between 12-25 mm.
Favorite Places: Humid and dark places like bathrooms, kitchens, basements, or damp storage rooms.
Reasons for Silverfish Presence:
- Silverfish are attracted to high-humidity environments, moving from surrounding soil into the house when the soil dries.
- Piles of damp leaves in your yard may attract these insects.
- Silverfish are abundant in areas with dense vegetation in the yard or on the street.
- Piles of damp wood due to rain or weather conditions can also attract these insects.
Tips for Eliminating and Preventing Silverfish:
- Reduce humidity in the house through effective ventilation and regular cleaning.
- Clean the yard and house, removing any items retaining moisture, like leaves and wood.
- Dispose of scattered starchy materials.
- Regularly clean places where silverfish may exist, like bathrooms, kitchens, and sinks, with water and soap.
- Seal cracks and gaps in walls and floors to prevent their entry and also prevent rodents like lizards.
- Place sticky traps in areas where silverfish are found to attract and capture them, then kill them.
9. Spider Mites on Houseplants
Spider mites are microscopic insects that feed on plant sap, sucking out fluids. These insects are common agricultural pests that can infest houseplants. There are hundreds of species of spider mites, some of which feed on hundreds of plant species. They cause small spots on plant leaves, which turn into larger spots of yellow, silver, or bronze color.
Appearance:
- Very small, round body, eight legs, reddish-brown color, resembling spiders.
- Spider mites have a mouth equipped to absorb plant fluids, leading to spotting and small patches.
- Length ranges between 0.2 and 0.8 mm, not visible to the naked eye.
- Spider mites are visible to the human eye when a large number gather, forming a web on plant leaves or around the trunk.
Favorite Places: Houseplants, furniture, and dark corners.
Reasons for Presence:
- Spider mites transfer to houseplants through infected plants.
- Spider mites prefer dry, hot environments with lots of dust.
- Over-fertilization can increase spider mite growth.
Tips for Eliminating Spider Mites:
- Isolate infected plants to prevent spider mites from spreading to other plants.
- Spray plants with water to remove spider mites and their eggs.
- Use insecticidal soap to kill spider mites.
- Use neem oil, a natural insecticide effective against spider mites.
General Tips for Preventing House Bugs
- Regularly clean the house.
- Dispose of garbage and waste daily.
- Store food in sealed containers.
- Immediately fix water leaks.
- Regularly ventilate the house to allow fresh air and remove humidity.
- Use insecticides carefully and according to instructions.
- Install mesh screens on windows to prevent insects from entering when opened.
These are some of the types of small house bugs and their causes. Remember, maintaining cleanliness, good ventilation, and regular waste disposal are effective steps in preventing insects infestations. If you face difficulty eliminating insects, you can consult pest control experts at Future Company for free now.
