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January 2, 2009
Bug ID
Ok all you bug experts, help me out here. For about a month I've spotted bugs the size of an ant (a small black ant, not the tiny brown ones) in my home, they have no antennae, a black body with brown and yellow spots, and the body looks jointed like an ant. Easily killed - not as speedy as a roach. They seem to like wet places - are often around my kitchen sink, or where the dishwasher meets the counter, once or twice near the bathroom sink. I'm thinking perhaps a baby waterbug? We don't have roaches but do have plenty of waterbug visitors. My apt. is a duplex ground floor and finished basement. Who are these critters and how do I get rid of them? thanks for your wisdom.
Comments
Definately baby waterbugs (aka American Cockroach).
Posted by: newsouthsloper at January 2, 2009 10:49 AM
Definitely not a waterbug. Cockroach nymphs do not resemble ants or have
ant-like segmentation. Call the Department of Entomology at the Museum of Natural History, or the NY Entomological Society, and they will help you ID it. And/or visit a bookstore and check one of their insect ID books.
Posted by: vinca at January 2, 2009 11:57 AM
Could be young termites. They would be segmented like an ant, but the older ones I've seen have wings,too. Also, they're frequently albino. Have you had an exterminator in?
Posted by: Bessie at January 2, 2009 12:38 PM
Have not called an exterminator yet, there are not too many of them, and I was going to try combat traps. I'm not postitive about the body segmentation because their coloring is very dark with a few lighter spots. No wings so hopefully not termites. Thanks vinca for the advice about how to ID them - googling turned up nothing that looked the same.
Posted by: mscrochety at January 2, 2009 1:42 PM
termites usually stay pretty hidden from light so i'm not sure they are termites. but sounds like the same shape....
Posted by: gennaro at January 2, 2009 2:16 PM
http://www.roachcontrol.com/bbroa.jpg
Do they look like this?
Posted by: newsouthsloper at January 2, 2009 3:20 PM
I don't think it's a waterbug, or a termite.
Try this. Before you go to bed, empty a tray of ice cubes into the kitchen and bathroom sinks. Refill. Repeat this every night.
Make sure you empty the dishwasher right after it's done, and leave it slightly ajar, so that any sitting water can evaporate.
Posted by: theandrewlee at January 3, 2009 8:35 AM
Yes newsouthsloper, they look like the smallest one except without antenna. So I have some kind of roach, I take it? theandrewlee, what will the ice cubes do?
thanks everyone.
Posted by: mscrochety at January 3, 2009 2:58 PM
My guess is that there are bugs living in the sink drains. I don't know what kind -- maybe roaches or beetles.
If they were bigger and you found them near the sinks, I would say they are coming from somewhere else. But since they are small, I think they probably crawl up and out of your drains at night. If you see them mostly in the mornings, then that would be a sign of where they are coming from.
Over the years, in various apartments I've had a similar issue with bugs in the sinks, and ice cubes have always gotten rid of them. Hope it works for you too.
Posted by: theandrewlee at January 3, 2009 4:35 PM
If the insects you're seeing never grow larger, then you're looking at adults, not nymphs. Antennae are sensory structures—just because you're not seeing them doesn't mean they're not there. Bugs are a separate order of insects, with mouthparts adapted for piercing or sucking. Cockroaches are among the fastest insect runners, which does not match your description. Have you recently travelled, bought new plants or furniture, or had work done in your home? Speak with an exterminator or entomologist to ID your infestation.
Posted by: vinca at January 3, 2009 8:50 PM
No new furniture, plants, or work done in my house. I'm wondering too if they are full grown or not. Anyway, since we've been vigilant for a few days about any crumbs and keeping the area around the sink and dishwasher very dry, I haven't seen any. I will try ice cubes in the sink too. thanks everyone and once I ID them I will update.
Posted by: mscrochety at January 4, 2009 7:30 PM
No new furniture, plants, or work done in my house. I'm wondering too if they are full grown or not. Anyway, since we've been vigilant for a few days about any crumbs and keeping the area around the sink and dishwasher very dry, I haven't seen any. I will try ice cubes in the sink too. thanks everyone and once I ID them I will update.
Posted by: mscrochety at January 4, 2009 7:31 PM
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