Knowledgebase

What are the names of these bugs please #795306

Asked June 10, 2022, 2:41 PM EDT

I’d like to know What the names are of these 4 bugs

Baltimore County Maryland

Expert Response

The large black insects are a beetle; possibly a species in the family Carabidae - some of which are called predacious ground beetles. Hundreds of species in this family occur in Maryland, and we can't see enough detail to determine which this may be. Predatory beetles are beneficial in the garden because they eat many garden pests (and don't bother humans). They may have been drawn to the part of the home they were trapped in as they hunted other insects, especially if it was a cooler, damper room like a basement or near a door where they took shelter on a hotter day.

The other creatures we can see on the trap are a spider (possibly wolf spider, another useful predator, and ants. Aside from those that nest in wood, ants are also great garden hunters that patrol for pests.

Adhesive traps capture a number of harmless creatures, unfortunately, and it would be more effective to exclude nuisance indoor pests by sealing gaps and cracks in exterior walls and by fixing any torn window screening or worn-out weather-stripping around doors. Many insects are attracted to outdoor night lighting and happen to wander inside by accident when the door is opened, since they often hang around the lamp at night and fall or fly when startled by movement.

The final pictures are not in focus enough, though our best guess from what we can see is that they are springtails. These are very common insect relatives that occur in areas that tend to be damp or humid because they don't tolerate drying-out well. They are very common in soil outdoors and might occur in potted plant soil inside. They feed on microscopic debris like pollen, algae, and fungus (mold/mildew) and are harmless to people, houseplants, and home furniture. If occurring in large numbers inside, they might indicate a moisture leak in the home, or that a nearby door or window needs better sealing.

Miri

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