Tiny brown bug in my apartment HELP!!! - Ask Extension
About a month ago, we started seeing black powder falling from behind one of our cabinets; I clean it up and it’s back hours later. Yesterday, the m...
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Tiny brown bug in my apartment HELP!!! #722792
Asked September 10, 2020, 9:11 PM EDT
About a month ago, we started seeing black powder falling from behind one of our cabinets; I clean it up and it’s back hours later. Yesterday, the maintenance guy took the stand alone upper cabinet down and behind it.... a disgusting mess of black powder, that resembles powdery mold but with it were thousands of tiny brown bugs. Included in the photos below, it looks like there are black holes in the wall, those are not holes but bus. No holes were found. We have no clue what they are. I have photos for reference. I’m desperate to know what these are and to have them out of my kitchen and home.
Additionally, the pest control guy looked for a second and said they are carpet beetles, however, they look nothing like carpet beetles and whatever he sprayed did not work.
I’m so unbelievably grossed out!
Snohomish County Washington
Expert Response
Is your wall damp? Your picture really isn't clear enough to see the beetle clearly. If possible, send a better image, in focus, and close up. However, many beetles that are found in homes are attracted to damp places, and like to eat the mold. One such insect is Ahasverus advena – Foreign Grain Beetle. https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/foreign-grain-beetle
Excerpt:
When found around the home, the beetle may come from damp crawlspaces, basements, bark mulch, and possibly moldy flour or flour products. It is also very likely that the beetles originate outside and are attracted to something inside that is damp and moldy. These beetles can fly and are very small so it is possible for them find their way into the house through screens and around loosely fitting windows and doors.
