How do I treat my apartment to kill this infestation of (mystery) insect/non insect - Ask Extension
I have tried to diagnose something besides tiny, black mites that attach to my skin, inside my ears, nose and attach, bore under the skin. They do th...
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How do I treat my apartment to kill this infestation of (mystery) insect/non insect #293411
Asked December 12, 2015, 10:01 AM EST
I have tried to diagnose something besides tiny, black mites that attach to my skin, inside my ears, nose and attach, bore under the skin. They do the same thing to my cat. These begin as tiny, white, sticky eggs and develop into tiny, blonde-colored flies the color of light skin. They seem to be everywhere and I am trying to eliminate their places to reproduce which seems to be anywhere near moisture or mold. Spraying with Hydrogen Peroxide kills the ones present on household surfaces. They make a "clicking/ticking" sound when disturbed, such as when I sprayed the bathroom light fixture which was covered with white, "furry" dust present when I moved in. I retrieved one round, fragile "ball" from my ear, my doctor tried to remove one from my other ear, but it fell apart, unlike a ball of ear wax. I have the small fly and the rest of the contents of the round, fragile, dry "ball" in a baggie, having fallen apart once I enclosed it and tapped gently.
I use my new Shark vacuum and attachments, wash, dry, mop, and spray continually but I am not winning the battle. The black mites population was decreased by 90% by using sealing compound to cover the cracks with black mold in the walls and tiled bathroom floor, but I have a miserable cat, nothing left of my one bamboo plant after one month of living here. Both were present when I moved in and unless the manager is satisfied about what these are he will not contact Ecolab to spray.
I was told by the owner of Fluegel's Pet and Garden the place needs to be sealed and fumigated. I am at the point of considering using "bug bombs" to kill these things that just seem to drop from the ceiling, attach and feed on the two of us. What can I do about this besides brushing the cat with Hydrogen Peroxide for immediate, partial relief and taking her to the vet who says something is definitely causing the hair loss and ear problem, but he cannot see what it is, so "treat the environment". How can I do this, and do you have any idea what this sounds like? Thank you.I forgot to include the fact that these things feel like sand when small, and I first turned on the air conditioner, only to find a layer of "beach sand" all over the couch and coffee table. I have also sealed the air conditioner, sprayed with insecticide both outside and inside. My physician, although she has seen them on my skin, refuses to admit these "arthropods" (as identified by the medical lab) exist and is standing by the CDC dermatolalist's "official online statement that parasites are only the problem for "delusional" people, so I went through the process of evaluation by a psychiatrist who tells me she is no "bug expert" but I am not delusional or suffering from mental illness. There are foundations, eg for Morgellons' Disease caused by human parasites and founded by medical professionals. So since I am not delusional and have samples all over my body, all over my apartment, in baggies, covering mass quantities of paper towels and costing me a small fortune to keep "at bay" (unsuccessfully, I add), what are these and how do I eliminate them from my living environment? I wish this was just delusional, but they and the small population of round, tiny black or red mites exist, and we are both continuing "hosts" until someone besides my friends/neighbors with "bugs" , too, can identify the infestation and the information comes from an authority or member of the medical profession. Can someone please help us?!
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
Nothing really can be treated or done until the problem is analyzed. I have contacted our Entomology expert at the U and he states your first step is to have Ecolab come in and do an inspection to make sure it is not a bed bug or
flea problem or other insect (or mite) that is causing the problem.
Nobody should do any treating without an inspection! If an inspection
does not verify an biting insect (or mite) nobody should do any
treating! If insects (and mites) are ruled out, then you need to explore
other possible problems. There are many alternate explanations for what you are describing (visit the link I have given you). http://www2.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ent58.asp
Dear Barbara,
Thank you for your very thorough response to my question and your suggestions. Since the manager has taken the course of spraying Raid in neighbors' apartments instead of contacting Ecolab for an inspection, I think I'll stay the course of cleaning, not using anything but hot water, soap and hydrogen peroxide where they are visible, and avoid the use of any pesticides (even the ones said to be safe in schools and hospitals). My patio seemed to have been the entry and borders trees, many birds and rodents. The landscapers blow toward the building after cutting grass. I know "insects" are an important part of a balanced environment; I just wish they would stay outside and feed there. No fleas here and a visit to a dermatologist (scabies) seems warranted. I am a clean person, used to a calm, clean home, and I am new to this type of problem: MN vs WA pests. Thanks again. Nicki
Thank you for your very thorough response to my question and your suggestions. Since the manager has taken the course of spraying Raid in neighbors' apartments instead of contacting Ecolab for an inspection, I think I'll stay the course of cleaning, not using anything but hot water, soap and hydrogen peroxide where they are visible, and avoid the use of any pesticides (even the ones said to be safe in schools and hospitals). My patio seemed to have been the entry and borders trees, many birds and rodents. The landscapers blow toward the building after cutting grass. I know "insects" are an important part of a balanced environment; I just wish they would stay outside and feed there. No fleas here and a visit to a dermatologist (scabies) seems warranted. I am a clean person, used to a calm, clean home, and I am new to this type of problem: MN vs WA pests. Thanks again. Nicki