Tiny worms at baseboard - Ask Extension
I noticed a black/brown tiny wormlike bug coing under my baseboard in a bathroom. It comes out in the light and scoots quickly back. Now I noticed a s...
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Tiny worms at baseboard #730329
Asked October 12, 2020, 9:58 PM EDT
I noticed a black/brown tiny wormlike bug coing under my baseboard in a bathroom. It comes out in the light and scoots quickly back. Now I noticed a smaller one and think there is mating going on. I don't see antennae or legs. HELP! I have seen pictures on line of various bugs and worms, but haven't seen the worm I have. The basement is below this bathroom.
Onondaga County New York
Expert Response
Hello, I'm sorry to hear of your distress over this. Without a photograph or a specimen I can't tell you anything about what you've seen. The description does not match anything you'd find in a house, normally. Can you take pictures? Can you remove baseboard molding (if we are talking about molding, not baseboard heating) to see what could be there?
I have seen these worms? 3-5 times and they scurry back under the baseboard. I will try to take my phone to the bathroom.
I am happy to look at any photos you send.
I haven't seen them again.
This is my bug, Jody. I hope you can identify it. I have a man who wants to take off the baseboard and try to find it and others. He needs to know what it is so he can kill them.
Hello, our best guess (and I did ask another entomologist his opinion) is that this is a dead silverfish. Silverfish are super common in old houses and sometimes common in newer houses. They thrive on moisture. If there are silverfish behind or under the baseboard, treating with a pesticide won't solve the problem, though it might kill a few that come into contact with the pesticide. It would be good to remove the baseboard and see what else is in there. Silverfish would be in walls and the attic. They are totally harmless, although creepy. If you find any other specimens and can take a picture, I would be happy and curious to see what else is found. I'm not 100% certain about this diagnosis because the specimen is dead and the bits broken off.
I will try to get photos of the areas where he takes of the baseboards. This is a half bath above the basement. Isn't there any spray or trap that would work on silverfish?
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
That makes sense from a moisture point of view. Silverfish love basements, too. And probably any pesticide would work on them if they come into contact with it. Sticky boards will catch them. You really just need to know where they are hiding, but they do not have nests or concentrated populations. They exist where moisture and food (often that is mold) exist. There is a cornmeal/boric acid bait that could work to control them, if we are really dealing with silverfish. https://www.amazon.com/Niban-Granular-Insecticide-Cockroaches-Silverfish/dp/B005F5PRJE Niban is a good product that will kill crickets, silverfish, even ants.
Again, I'm happy to try to confirm silverfish with additional pictures, if you can get them. I hope this helps!
Again, I'm happy to try to confirm silverfish with additional pictures, if you can get them. I hope this helps!
