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Identification of Small Bugs in Sink #842819

Asked July 27, 2023, 8:53 AM EDT

Hello - I am looking for help in identifying these small bugs in my sink.  I've also found them in some books.  Any advice about how to get rid of them would also be appreciated.  thank you!

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

My Picture Insect app says this is some kind of cockroach. That maybe wrong because the pictures are really too small to ID well. Since cockroaches prefer damp environments, it is unlikely that they will be in your books unless they are damp and/or moldy. 
Your best bet is to capture one in a plastic bag or glass jar. Freeze it to kill it without damaging it and then examine it with a magnifying glass.There are several online sources for identifying insects.
Once you know what it is, then a computer search will tell you how to get rid of it.  
Linda G Tenneson, Benton County Extension Master Gardener & Tree Care Advisor Replied July 27, 2023, 10:16 AM EDT

Thank you!  Do you have a recommendation for the best online sources to identify the bug?

The Question Asker Replied July 27, 2023, 10:26 AM EDT

We cannot recommend one program over another. Sites ending in ".edu" are University research based.  These are a few I found doing an online search:

https://extension.umn.edu/insects

https://insectid.wisc.edu/

  https://entomologytoday.org/2018/07/03/insect-identification-experts-guides-bug-spider-arachnid-entomology/  Contains a whole list of insect ID web pages. 

www.insectidentification.org/insect-description.php?identification

You can also take the frozen insect in to the Eden Prairie office of the Hennepin County Extension Master Gardeners and have some one look at the insect with a microscope. Their contact information is at the very bottom of their web page. Call or email them first to see the availability. 

https://hennepinmastergardeners.org/

Linda G Tenneson, Benton County Extension Master Gardener & Tree Care Advisor Replied July 27, 2023, 11:02 AM EDT

Thank you – that is all very helpful information!

 

From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2023 10:03 AM
To: Cheryl Welch <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Identification of Small Bugs in Sink (#0112745)

 

The Question Asker Replied July 27, 2023, 5:08 PM EDT

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