Small brown bugs in an apartment choose long pile on carpets and clothes, soft upholstery, soil in pots with indoor flowers, and dusty spaces behind cabinets for life.
For brown bugs, an apartment is the optimal home, so they themselves will not leave. And getting rid of beetles even with the help of strong poisons is very difficult: there are too many secluded corners in the house. Insects feed on almost any organic matter, so there is no other option but to get rid of them with the help of chemicals.
Varieties of brown bugs and features
There are several types of insects with a diameter of 2-4 mm: there are individuals that eat flour and cereals, others prefer wooden products, books. Separately, a skin beetle is isolated, which is harmful to human health.
The following types of it are adapted to the living conditions:
- Brown carpet... Its larvae are considered dangerous, an adult beetle uses its own reserves.
- Ham look... It has an oblong shape - a black creature with a yellow mustache; most common.
- Kozheed Smirnova chooses window sills and lamps as a monastery.
- Fur beetle dark spotted color - the most harmful of the above. Spoils food.
Uninvited guests can be seen on the windowsill at any time. Some disappear by the beginning of autumn, others can live all year round in an apartment.
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Attention: larvae
After birth, the larvae begin to search for food. Before reaching an adult state, when transforming from a caterpillar to a beetle, it is necessary to go through 5 periods of development, including molting.
Its size at the final stage of growth is approximately 7 mm. The silverfish-like body is densely covered with villi. The Anthrenus species takes up residence in clothing fabrics. The larva of the genus Attagenus lives in bulk products in dry places at the bottom of bags, boxes, carpets, boxes or under parquet. Unlike adult beetles, they avoid bright light. Areas with shade or darkness are excellent environments.
The intensity of molting and the general development cycle of the larva are influenced by moisture indicators, nutrition and temperature conditions. The range with a plus from 20 ° C to 30 ° C suits them best. Under unfavorable factors, the larva is dormant with an interruption in growth. The final molt ends in pupation.
The pupal phase lasts 4 to 20 days. A small insect (small beetle), freed from its pupa, stays in the same "cradle" for some time. The search for a mating partner begins. Within 1 year, it is possible to increase the number of skin cells per generation.
Why do they appear and where do they live at home
Most often, kozheedy enter the dwelling in the summer through an open window. They are brought in from another room when transporting upholstered furniture, books, herbariums, and other collections. When buying flowers in a pot, there is also a risk of acquiring a pest directly from the store.
Depending on the type in the apartment, they can live anywhere. Carpet beetles do not choose a specific angle for themselves. Hard-to-reach places become their refuge, where they lay larvae that feed on dust. Kozheed Smirnov can be found not only on windowsills, but also in lamps.Bugs love dry air, they feel great in chest of drawers, wardrobes, sofas, mattresses.
Insects in the apartment
The appearance of small white bugs in the apartment will surprise the most experienced landlord. Among the many species of insects, there are several similar ones, which may turn out to be white, beige or transparent.
Below are the photos and names of white insects in an apartment or house:
- silverfish - small bugs up to 1 cm long, having a white, light gray or translucent, elongated body, ending in 3 hairs; they are active only at night, can move quickly;
- wood lice - gray, gray-white or brown individuals, the body of which is divided into segments, each of which has a pair of legs, belongs to the species of land crustaceans, breathes with gills - such insects start in the house from dampness and their main diet consists of plant residues and water;
- mosquitoes and larvae - they prefer to relax in the daytime in a room with high humidity;
- sewer beetle - it is distinguished by a gray-black color and large size (up to 3 cm), a strong shell that protects it from crushing, very agile and fast, prefers warm and humid places;
- spiders, midges, centipedes or ants - are able to penetrate from the basement or neighboring apartment through ventilation pipes;
- small black bugs in the bathroom, called beetles or flour beetles, feed on cereals and bulk foods.
Insects in the apartment and bathroom
What are the dangers of brown creatures?
Insects destroy skin, fur, wool, fluff, felt, silk, and will not give up food and cereals. So, in the kitchen they will enjoy cheese, jerky or fish. Powdered milk, cereals will spoil. Pests will gladly fall for old books with glue binding.
Brown bugs damage wires, upholstery, parquet floors, picture frames, wallpaper, and more. The danger to the human body is the transfer of various diseases. A skin bite can cause allergies and provoke the development of infections, and through them there is also a danger of contracting worms.
House beetles
Even in a clean apartment there are uninvited six-legged and eight-legged guests, and what can we say about microscopic neighbors that can be on the skin of people and animals. They usually enter the house through windows, window sills, any crevices, drainpipes, ventilation openings. No human habitation could do without their presence.
In the kitchen, you can most often find:
- Cockroaches;
- Weevils;
- Ants;
- Senoyedov;
- Fruit flies;
- Flour Khrushchaks.
Cockroaches are the fastest and most hardy creatures that have lived on earth for 4 million years and have 4,000 species. They move at a speed of about 400 km / h, can not breathe for about an hour and go without food for 1 month.
Weevils. They pierce any packaging with their proboscis. These insects breathe through microscopic holes in the skin. Hiding from direct sunlight in boxes with cereals, they lay up to 400-500 eggs.
Ants often enter apartments with fruits and vegetables from the home garden. They feed on the remains of human food. The bites of some of the ant species are very painful to humans. Therefore, it is better to get rid of them quickly. This is fairly easy to do by spraying the area with insect spray.
Hay-eaters appear in any premises with constantly high humidity. They are small fragile white insects with transparent wings. They eat organic food, but they can go without food for a long time. Mold is a favorite treat that attracts hay-eaters in an apartment. You can get rid of their presence by eliminating hotbeds of constant dampness.
Fruit flies. Their larvae develop in plant debris: fruits, vegetables, etc. They are also called fruit flies.Like flies, they are carriers of infection. Swarms of flies may appear over rotten fruit. They should be disposed of by throwing out the garbage on time and observing the rules for storing and processing fruits and vegetables.
We suggest that you familiarize yourself with: Why are cockroaches in an apartment harmful?
Flour beetles. An adult beetle reaches 12-19 mm in length. Its body is flat, light brown and reddish underneath. Their larvae are 2 mm in size, yellow in color and have no eyes. They eat cereals, flour. In addition to grain and flour, the beetle can start in starch, dried fruits, seeds, and also feed on fabric, wool.
The bedroom is most often inhabited by:
- Dust mites;
- Lice;
- Bed bugs;
- Skin-eating beetles.
Ticks are creatures that feed on particles of dead skin. Therefore, bed linen, mattresses, sofas and pillows for them are like a 24-hour dining room. On average, there can be about 10 billion individuals in the bed of each person. Dust mites cause allergic reactions in people with asthma.
Kozheed. In his body there are enzymes that can process keratin. The larvae of the kozheed eat wool, thereby spoiling woolen things. But at the same time, they can be useful, as they eat dead insects and lost hair.
Lice. Contrary to popular belief, lice start in clean hair. Clean hair is easier to navigate as it glides less due to the lack of fat on it. Lice are more common in long hair than in short ones, because it is more convenient to attach to them. They cling to the hairs with the help of six legs with claws. On average, no more than 5-10 individuals live on an infected head.
Lice cocoons are still in the hair. The louse, being on the head for about a month, lays many eggs. If the lice are not removed in time, then everyone around them can become infected. Insects drink blood at least once a day. Lice saliva prevents blood clotting. Initially, the body of a young individual is colorless, but its color changes after the first meal.
Body lice hide in the folds of dirty clothes. Their lifespan is twice that of head lice. They are more prolific. Dangerous diseases can be transmitted through their dried excrement. For example, a body louse can transmit typhoid and other diseases.
Fleas. Thanks to its flat, armored body, the flea easily penetrates the fur of animals. With its large jaws, it pierces the skin and blood vessels. Two pumps in her head help her suck blood. Fleas move with the help of several pairs of legs, they can jump up to 20 cm. These parasites are carriers of many diseases, the most dangerous of which is the plague.
Bed bugs are parasites of warm-blooded animals and people, they feed on their blood. Supposedly, they originally existed in caves. Bed bugs feed on blood at all stages of development. Most people do not notice bedbug bites. It is possible to find bedbugs in bed only by numerous brown spots. With a strong infection of the room with bedbugs, a specific smell may appear.
Mosquitoes are blood-sucking insects. Moreover, only females feed on blood. Their upper and lower lips are elongated and form a kind of pencil case, in which there are sharp and thin needles. Unlike females, in males these organs are poorly developed and they do not bite, but feed only on plant sap. Mosquito larvae and pupae live in stagnant water bodies. In cities, they fill warm and humid rooms, for example, the basements of residential buildings.
Harmless insects
Such insects can be found in the bathroom at home:
- Silverfish;
- Woodlice;
- Pintail;
- Flycatchers;
- Spiders;
- Centipedes.
Woodlice is a garbage-collecting insect. Its body, covered with "armor", reaches a length of no more than 20 mm. They eat rot, mold, excrement, and members of their own species.Six times a year, they shed their shells, becoming completely defenseless. To absorb oxygen, their gills, which are located on the abdomen, must remain moist.
These insects are able to suck in water at both ends: through the mouth and tubes near the rectum. Due to the high calcium content in their shells, there was a time when these insects were sold in pharmacies as a cure for indigestion. So they got the name "pill beetles".
Silverfish. Little bugs that eat literally everything thanks to their body's ability to produce cellulase - a cleavage enzyme. These microscopic black bugs can be seen on the spreads of books. They are also called bookworms.
Pintail. Another name for this insect is earwig, or tick. Also, the most common name is a pinch. It is an omnivorous insect. In apartment buildings, they are most likely attracted by the presence of a variety of food and other insects that they also feed on (or rather, their remains). The length of the pintail reaches 12-17 mm. Long antennae extend from the head. They can fly, but are reluctant to use their wings.
Flycatchers. They start up in different rooms, like furry caterpillars. They move quickly, feed on other insects: flies, mosquitoes, midges, silverfish. They can bite in self-defense.
Spiders weave their silk web using special glands. The thread they throw out hardens on contact with air. They calmly move along their web, waiting for the victim. If the victim is caught, then she will not get out. The cobweb in the corners looks unaesthetic, but still the benefits of the spiders themselves are undeniable. They kill harmful insects. Many spiders catch and eat insects twice their own weight per day.
Centipedes. The millipede length ranges from 2 mm to 30 mm. Centipedes are a superclass of invertebrates, although they are mistakenly considered insects by some. Kivsaki is one of the types of millipedes common in Russia. They look very impressive because they look like a long black smooth caterpillar with a lot of legs.
Folk remedies and chemistry
First of all, cleanliness in the kitchen is important. Kozheedy do not tolerate the smell of moth products, therefore, appropriate tablets and plates can be laid out on the shelves of the cabinets. Of the folk methods in the fight against such insects, lavender and wormwood have proven themselves well. The strong scent of herbs will scare off an adult insect from the bookshelf.
The cabinets are wiped with water and vinegar. They also fight with the help of chemicals. Permethrin solution will be needed to process seasonal clothing prior to storage. For humans, the substance is not dangerous, but effective against parasites, destroys both adults and larvae. Prevents their reappearance.
Chemical aerosols of brands will help get rid of brown bugs:
- "Clean house";
- Raptor;
- "Armol";
- "Raid" and others.
A group of insecticides is effective against adults and larvae; white powder (popularly known as dust) is poured under the parquet floor and at the baseboard, you can make a solution and process objects, rub into the upholstery of furniture. The good old "Dichlorvos" in this case will also be effective.
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Bed bugs
These are probably the most unpleasant parasites in the apartment. The main harm they cause to people is, of course, bites. And although today there are still no scientifically proven facts that these domestic parasites infect some infectious diseases, however, dangerous pathogens were often observed in their bodies. Bedbugs can live in almost any secluded corner of the house, right there they multiply at an extraordinary rate. Being parasites, insects jump on the bed at night, bite people and begin to suck their blood.Surprisingly, the larvae begin to feed from the very beginning of their life and differ from adults only in size.
By and large, several varieties of bed bugs can parasitize in an apartment, but it is almost impossible to distinguish between them without a microscope and some knowledge.
It is much more difficult to poison these pests than cockroaches, since the bulk of the insecticidal preparations on sale do not work against them. As a rule, special dusts, sprays, aerosol insecticides are used to destroy bedbugs.
House ants
Ants are considered one of the most difficult pests to remove. As a rule, in the apartment there are representatives of two varieties of these parasites - thief ants and red ants, which are also called pharaoh ants. For a common man in the street, it will be very difficult to distinguish between these two species, however, pharaoh ants are still considered more frequent guests in apartments. Speaking about the harm caused, it can be noted that these domestic insects - like many of their main counterparts - can spread various infections and also spoil food.
The main problem with breeding ants is that very often their colonies have many nests, which are combined with each other and are even in different apartments. It is for this reason that the destruction of one nest will not give the desired effect: as long as there is a single colony, the parasites will return to the apartment again and again.
It is necessary to deal with them together - preferably by all residents of the house at the same time. Only in this case there will be a positive effect, otherwise, only a temporary removal of ants can be achieved. Almost any insecticide is suitable for extermination, but special poisonous baits will still be the best way.
Life hacks for getting rid of brown bugs
There is a more humane way of fighting, but it does not apply to insects, but to provisions. For many, it is an unaffordable luxury to throw away cereals.
If pests have left their mark on it, you can proceed as follows:
- Sort and sift well through a fine sieve.
- Heat in the oven or put bags of cereals in the freezer for several days.
- You need to use it first.
- Treat cabinet surfaces with vinegar, boric acid or laundry soap (rub it and make a solution).
- Pour boiling water over the cracks.
- Wash the dishes in order to finally get rid of the derivative bugs.
The vacuum cleaner will tighten the hidden parasites and their larvae from all cracks. After the procedure, the dust collector or garbage bag is thrown away or, after emptying, frozen for 3-4 days to prevent re-infection.
As soon as the groats are again placed in the boxes, "traps" are set. For this, a little sunflower oil is poured into small containers; the remaining beetles will surely come together for a treat, which will drown in it.
Shaggy white insects - mealybugs (felt)
These representatives of the Hemiptera family are one of the most vicious pests of indoor plants. Most often they infect crops with smooth leaves (palms, succulents, coleus, asparagus, fuchsias, begonias, orchids, dracaena, citrus fruits). Measures to combat these small insects must be taken immediately after their detection, otherwise the flower from which these insects literally suck the juices will die.
What does an insect look like and what is dangerous for plants?
These bugs, reaching several millimeters in length, look like white oval cotton balls. They can be found on the surface of the soil, the inner walls of the flower pot, the back of the leaves where the veins pass.
These incredibly prolific insects suck sap from plants, which leads to a slowdown and, over time, a complete cessation of their development.In the process of their vital activity, they secrete a sweet sticky substance, which serves as a favorable environment for the development of various fungal diseases, in particular the moles. They damage the ground and underground parts of the plant, easily moving to neighboring flowers.
Why does it appear in the ground and how does it get there?
It is difficult to say why these tiny hairy beetles appeared on a ficus, palm, ivy or dracaena. The main reason is the use of soil contaminated by them. The following conditions contribute to the reproduction of felt in the flower substrate:
- too poor or, on the contrary, abundant watering;
- lack of natural light, low temperature and humidity in the room;
- ignoring agrotechnical measures (elimination of dead plant parts, regular inspection to identify pests, periodic water procedures);
- non-compliance with the quarantine of new flowers.
What to do if you find a pest?
If these beetles have started up in the soil of indoor flowers, but have not yet had time to multiply strongly, you can get rid of them without the help of potent insecticides. It is usually sufficient to give the affected plant a hot bath.
Taking the flower out of the pot, you need to shake off the roots, and then place it in a container with water at a temperature of about 55 degrees so that it covers only the root system. After 15 minutes, dry the roots and transplant the flower into another pot with fresh substrate.
If there are a lot of pests, you cannot do without the help of insecticides. Information about some of the most effective drugs is presented in the table:
| Insecticide name | Active substance | Safety measures when working with drugs |
| Aktara | Thiamethoxam |
|
| Actellic | Pyrimiphos-methyl | |
| Fitoverm | Avermectin | |
| Apploud | Buprofezin | |
| Confidant | Imidacloprid |
Prevention methods
To prevent the kozheed from entering the room, a number of activities are carried out:
- Ventilate regularly and do wet cleaning. Insects seek a dry environment.
- Twice a year they sort things out in the wardrobes. Lavender, wormwood, tansy, tobacco, camphor are left on the shelves.
- In the kitchen, they often carry out vinegar treatment of surfaces, take out the trash and process the bucket.
- Thoroughly wash the floors with the addition of cleaning agents to rinse the larvae out of the crevices.
- Mosquito nets are hung on the windows.
- Create conditions for storing cereals and other food products.
Washing powders, bleaches, ammonia, chlorine have no effect on kitchen pests. If you could not get them out of the house on your own, specialists will come to the rescue. To clear the apartment of uninvited guests, you yourself may have to leave your home for several days.
What is this strange beast?
The parasites that live in your toilet or bathroom are common silverfish. These are insects with a small oblong body, thin legs (short - 8 pairs, main ones - 4 pairs) and processes on the tail and head.
Silverfish belong to the order of crustaceans and resemble wood lice. These small white bugs move very quickly, penetrate the narrowest cracks and hide if you turn on the light. They are quite tenacious and if they have already settled, they will remain for a long time. It is useless to hope that the problem will be solved by itself. Moreover, these insects have a high reproduction rate, so over time, the population of beetles will become larger!
An adult silverfish can take on different shades and cast green, brown, yellow or silver. In apartments, it is the light individuals that are most often found. To recognize them exactly, check out these photos.
Bugs are nocturnal - they crawl out to fish in the evening, and during the day they prefer to hide away. Food products for silverfish are:
- Wallpaper glue;
- Natural fabrics;
- Mold fungi;
- Leftovers;
- Wet paper;
- Rubbish under rugs and bedding;
- Rags.
Most of all, these bugs love dampness and moisture, and they cannot stand bright light. The bathroom suits the tastes and requirements of silverfish in the best possible way, so most often parasites settle there.
