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Got Bugs? How to Identify Those Tiny Red Crawlies Invading Your Home
Catch a flash of movement out the corner of your eye. Look down to see a tiny red critter scuttling across the floor. Don’t panic – it’s probably just a common household bug, not a sign of infestation. But what exactly are those little red bugs in your home? Let’s look at how to identify some frequent flyers.
Knowing the most likely culprits can help you take appropriate action to remove them We’ll cover 7 common tiny red bugs and ways to get rid of them
#1 – The Red Spider Mite
Perhaps the most ubiquitous tiny red pest is the aptly named spider mite. These pests infest over 200 species of plants worldwide. They are only about 0.5 mm long – barely visible to the naked eye.
You’ll often spot them on houseplants and outdoor plants. Spider mites form colonies on the underside of leaves and spin fine webs. They suck nutrients from plant tissues, causing stippling damage and wilting. Getting rid of spider mites requires diligent inspection and treatment with insecticidal soap.
#2 – The Closer Mite
Closer mites are tiny outdoor mites that sometimes end up indoors. They have plump, oval bodies reaching 1-2 mm long. Look for a reddish-brown hue on their backs and pale yellow-orange on their undersides. A dark stripe runs down the middle.
Being generalists, clover mites feed on many plants. But indoors, they do not reproduce or cause damage. Simply vacuum up any you see or gently sweep them out doors. No control measures are needed.
#3 – The Velvet Mite
Meet the colorful critter known as the velvet mite. Over 1,200 species exist worldwide, with colors ranging from bright red to orange, yellow, or brown. They have dense coatings of hair-like fibers, giving them a tactile velvety texture.
Velvet mites are not parasitic to humans or pets. They spend their time hunting smaller insects in gardens and landscapes. Finding one inside is just accidental. Scoop it up and toss it back outdoors.
#4 – The Drugstore Beetle
One tiny red bug that can infest homes is the 3 mm long drugstore beetle. It bores into dried foods like spices, pasta, tobacco, seeds, and processed foods. Look for round exit holes in packaging and the beetles themselves crawling about.
To control a drugstore beetle infestation, discard contaminated items, vacuum, and freeze any salvageable dry goods for 4 days before resealing in airtight containers. Diatomaceous earth can also help.
#5 – The Common Red Ant
Seeing ants indoors usually indicates a nest close by outside. The common red ant is only 2-3 mm long but can form immense colonies containing hundreds of thousands of ants. They exploit any food sources they find.
Bait traps draw ants out while barrier sprays block entry points. Removing exterior colonies also curtails ants inside. Maintaining clean kitchens helps deter them.
#6 – The American Cockroach Nymph
Cockroach nymphs start out quite small, under 6 mm in length. When just hatched, they are white. As they molt and grow over 6-12 months, they turn reddish-brown.seeing a tiny red cockroach often means a hidden infestation is already underway.
Use glue traps and baits to catch nymphs and adults. Insect growth regulator products disrupt their life cycle. Stopping roaches early prevents populations from exploding.
#7 – The Blood-Red Fire Bug
Fire bugs are slim-bodied terrestrial insects around 5 mm long. They prey on other small bugs outdoors but occasionally end up inside. Their bright red and black coloration serves as a warning of their foul, bitter taste if eaten by predators.
A lone fire bug is nothing to worry about. Simply collect it in a jar and release it outside. Or let it wander back out an open window on its own. With no nest or colony, treatment is unnecessary.
When Tiny Red Bugs Become a Big Problem
Discovering the identity of tiny red visitors can prevent panic about infestations. But if you keep seeing the same bugs reappearing, it likely indicates a substantial underlying issue that needs addressing.
Don’t hesitate to enlist professional pest control help for severe or persistent invasions. They can pinpoint sources, identify species, and implement customized management plans. Getting rid of recurring swarms of tiny red bugs hinges on destroying their populations at the breeding sites.
With the right knowledge and tactics, those pesky little red insects don’t have to become a scary big problem. Stay vigilant in monitoring for early signs of issues. And know what tiny red pests are most likely to bug you!
Meet ‘clover mites’, they’re tiny but everywhere
What are the different types of tiny red bugs?
There are two main types of tiny red bugs commonly seen in gardens: clover mites and spider mites. Although they are both tiny red bugs, clover mites are larger and are most commonly seen in mild or cool weather.Spider mites, on the other hand, are smaller and can be found in various weather conditions.
What does a red bug look like?
The tiny red bug has a red or reddish-brown, oval-shaped body and eight legs. It is 0.03” – 0.033” (0.75 – 0.85 mm) long. An identifying feature is its red color and the oval-shaped body with eight legs. Clover mites are almost microscopic and feed on plants in the yard.
What is the size of red bugs?
Red bugs range in size from 0.01” to 0.35” (0.4 – 9 mm). Most red bugs in homes are so tiny you can’t see them with the naked eye. For example, chiggers are red mites that cause the most suffering to humans. However, they measure only 0.01” (0.4 mm).
How do I identify tiny red bugs in my garden?
To identify tiny red bugs in your garden, look for clover mites or spider mites. Clover mites are tiny red bugs with a reddish-brown color and a teardrop shape. Spider mites are tiny red bugs that form webs and have eight legs. Here’s a simple guide for distinguishing between these two types of tiny red bugs in your garden.