What are these? I am finding them on kitchen counters and the couch. I have a 5 month old baby. They look like microscopic ants or fleas, but it is definitely not a flea. Should we be concerned?
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The insect in the photo is too small to identify. If they jump, could be springtails. If they fly, they could be gnats. You are right, the shape of it doesn't look like a flea. Springtails are harmless to humans. And depending on what type of gnat (if that's what it is) it could be because some species of gnats do bite. It could be a number of insects like bed bugs etc. Do you have a closer photo?
They walk fast, do not fly. Resemble a very small black ant, but I know is not an ant.
Unfortunately, I'd need a magnifying glass because they're too small to capture on photo and move too fast.
I type in search, fast tiny bug...and the first thing that comes up is Book Lice larvae...could it be this? You could also google images this way, too and check if anything matches maybe.
Do they fly or just run?
The photo is very blurry.
For most bugs my go to is a good vacuuming (floors and upholstery), taking the bag outside and disposing of it away from the house, and then doing a good cleaning with vinegar and hot water of all hard surfaces. It is too hard to wet clean upholstery and usually the vacuuming does the trick.
If they keep coming back, then I do more digging to figure out what I have and the best way to get rid of them.
They could be gnats. The picture is too small and blurry.
They could be what are called False Chinch Bugs:
ipm.ucanr.edu/
They are basically harmless to people, but can kill plant materials like grass and trees.
Tiny bugs can be bothersome but generally not dangerous for you or your baby.
You can check with your County Extension office as they will be familiar with the type of bugs generally related to your area.
npic.orst.edu/
You may be able to slow them down if you can find a source.
Since they are on you kitchen cabinets, look under your sink and cabinets under your counter. If you find any bugs, remove everything and clean with white vinegar and water. Do not rinse.
After dry scatter/sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth (Food Grade ONLY) on the floor of all your cabinets. This is one of the best and safest bug killers around today. It is abbreviated DE (remember - Food Grade only not from pool supply) and can be purchased online or at your local Home Depot, Lowe's or many hardware stores and Farm Supply stores.
richsoil.com/
www.farmersalmanac.com/
www.homedepot.com/
www.amazon.com/
You can also scatter DE on your couch (maybe in between pillow and in side pockets; actually you can put it anywhere you see where a bug is coming from. It will not harm your baby even if she eats some of it (probably will not do more than touch her fingers to her mouth as it is slightly grainy and has no taste).
You can also put this in bathroom cabinets just in case your tiny bugs have to have water/moisture to survive.
Check any pantry shelves to make sure they are not coming from boxed/packaged food. DE is safe for food boxes so you put it on your shelves also.
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