What is this bug - Ask Extension
Hello, for several weeks now I have been getting bitten at night. The results are very itchy raised areas. One afternoon I found a bug on my shirt. I ...
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What is this bug #849320
Asked September 10, 2023, 2:11 PM EDT
Hello, for several weeks now I have been getting bitten at night. The results are very itchy raised areas. One afternoon I found a bug on my shirt. I started to squish it and then stopped. I tried to photograph the best I could. It's a little squished. If you enlarge the picture you can get more detail.
Cuyahoga County Ohio
Expert Response
Dear Ann,
You have taken a picture of an insect, but it is probably a coincidental event that you found this insect on your shirt. I cannot identify the insect from your picture other than it looks like a immature (nymph) of an insect. It does not look like any of the insects that would typically bite people.
As for your experiences while sleeping, you need to inspect your bed and bedding thoroughly for any evidence of insect activity. If what is biting you while you sleep is an insect, they would produce an excrement that is dark red to black in color. Look for spots on the bedding as well as the mattress and box springs. Inspect the seams and beading around the seams for insects, insect eggs, and/or the above described excrement. If you find anything in these areas, you will need to call an exterminator.
Strip the bed of all bedding and wash thoroughly in hot water and laundry detergent and dry bedding in a dryer on the highest setting that the bedding materials permit.
You have taken a picture of an insect, but it is probably a coincidental event that you found this insect on your shirt. I cannot identify the insect from your picture other than it looks like a immature (nymph) of an insect. It does not look like any of the insects that would typically bite people.
As for your experiences while sleeping, you need to inspect your bed and bedding thoroughly for any evidence of insect activity. If what is biting you while you sleep is an insect, they would produce an excrement that is dark red to black in color. Look for spots on the bedding as well as the mattress and box springs. Inspect the seams and beading around the seams for insects, insect eggs, and/or the above described excrement. If you find anything in these areas, you will need to call an exterminator.
Strip the bed of all bedding and wash thoroughly in hot water and laundry detergent and dry bedding in a dryer on the highest setting that the bedding materials permit.
Thank you for your prompt reply. I have checked the bed for bed bugs and I haven't found anything that indicates bed bugs. In looking around I found that no-see-ums can bite you. Maybe that's what's biting me. I thought it was during the night but I might be getting bitten outside. I'm still concerned about bed bugs although I have not seen evidence of them. Did you try enlarging the picture. It was about the size of a apple seed.
Dear Ann,
Yes, I looked at your image as closely as I could on the greatest magnification that I could get through this program. Not enough detail to get a specific identification. It could be any number of outdoor true bugs.
With as much "stuff" that is floating on the air as well as populations of numerous different mites and insects at their maximum populations, and not knowing what environments that you have visited, it is entirely a guessing game as to what you may have encountered.
Sorry we cannot diagnose this problem on-line. You may need to visit your local extension office as well as potentially visiting a dermatologist for further diagnosis.
Yes, I looked at your image as closely as I could on the greatest magnification that I could get through this program. Not enough detail to get a specific identification. It could be any number of outdoor true bugs.
With as much "stuff" that is floating on the air as well as populations of numerous different mites and insects at their maximum populations, and not knowing what environments that you have visited, it is entirely a guessing game as to what you may have encountered.
Sorry we cannot diagnose this problem on-line. You may need to visit your local extension office as well as potentially visiting a dermatologist for further diagnosis.
