Archive for category: Pest Identification

6476.  Hello, I would like to know how can I get rid of these small black bugs that are flying around my living area in the basement. I am finding them in the bathtub, bathroom, bedroom and my office. they are very annoying and they seem to be attracted to light as they do go near a lamp or my phone in the dark. I don’t know if these are drain flies. I haven’t seen them come up from the drain. I have put Apple Cider Vinegar with Palmolive dish soap in 2 little bowls and I have caught approx. 10 in each bowl. But they are a lot more as I have killed 100 of these little annoying buggers. I have submitted a picture of them on here but no reply yet as what they are and how I can get rid of them for once and for all. Please help. thank you. London, ON.

Number 6476.  These most likely are dark-winged fungus gnats (Diptera: Sciaridae). Their larvae usually are found in very wet/saturated soil having a high organic material content, such as in over-watered potted plants. If you have potted plants in our around your premises, allow the soil to dry out as much as practical between waterings. If you have no such plants and they are coming in from outside, you’re options are rather limited.  Click here for some suggestions.

6474.  I found what looks like an assassin bug on my apartment floor because of its classic tubular mouth piece and mantis like front legs. I am wondering if this bug carries the deadly Chagas disease or is it just an assassin bug with a painful bite.I never expected these bugs to be so far north from their usual habitat. Montreal, Quebec. Canada

Number 6474.  This is an assassin bug known as a masked hunter (Reduvius personatus; Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae). This is a cosmopolitan species often found indoors. They are not disease vectors, but are reported to have a very painful bite.- Click here for more detailed information.

6471. 28. Montreal, Quebec. Canada

Number 6471.  This is a spider beetle (Coleoptera: Anobiidae; subfamily Ptininae) in the genus Mezium. These beetles can infest dry stored food products, so you check all areas where dry food products are stored for signs of infestation. Click here for more detailed information.

6469. How do I get this out of my flower garden. Valley, Nova Scotia. Canada

Number 6469.  This is a lily leaf beetle, Lilioceris lilii (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), an introduced species that has become quite a pest. I collected the first specimens reported from West Virginia last year. Click here for detailed information including control recommendations.

6467. This insect attached to my leg with a certainly noticeable, but not overly painful, bite – and at first appearances seemed to be a small worm. It is very small and measures about 5mm in length. Photo was taken by Lexi Johnson on a paper towel. South Surrey, British Columbia. Canada

Number 6467.  This is a larva of a lacewing (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). These are general predators on other small, soft-bodied arthropods such as aphids and caterpillars. Occasionally, they will ‘sample’ human skin, but their bite is harmless. Excellent photograph, by the way.

6465. What kind of bug is this? This is my second time seeing them in my bathroom. Dingwall, Toronto ON. Canada

Number 6465.  This is an assassin bug known as a masked hunter (Reduvius personatus; Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae). This is a cosmopolitan species often found indoors and reputed to have a very painful ‘bite’- Click here for more detailed information.

6463. Have found about 4 of these at different times the last few days inside the house. 2-3cm? One on shower curtain, two others around windows at night. This one flew short distance. We recently had some construction done in a basement bathroom. July 2019. Toronto, ON. Canada

Number 6463.  This is an assassin bug known as a masked hunter (Reduvius personatus; Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae). This is a cosmopolitan species often found indoors and reputed to have a very painful ‘bite’- Click here for more detailed information. The fact that you’ve found several indicates that there must be a fair population of other insects in your house for them to feed on.

6461. These ‘beetles’ are twice the size of a ladybug, but the same shape. I took these photos today (July 12th, 2019) in the yard near the lake. They are/have devoured whatever plant that is that is like a vine, gets purple flowers on it and then they turn into red ‘berries’ that the birds like! Please advise what they are and how can I get rid of them/keep them off my expensive shrubs and plants!!! thanks. Vernon, B.C. Canada.

Number 6461.  These are Colorado potato beetles. Leptinotarsa decimlineata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). They feed only on plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), including potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, etc.

6457. Found 2 in my sons bed. I checked his head and it doesn’t appear to be lice. Please help. Red Deer, Canada

Number 6457.  This is a tiny, harmless beetle of some kind; possibly a minute scavenger beetle (Coleoptera: Latridiidae), Click here for an example.

6455. Is this a carpet beetle larvae? Scarborough, Ontario. Canada

Number 6455.  It does look like a larva of a carpet beetle (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) in the genus Anthrenus.

6453. Dwight Ave. Oshawa, Ontario. Canada

Number 6453.  This looks suspiciously like a bed bug;  Click here for detailed information.

6451. I have never had these insects in the house before, but this is the third one that I’ve killed this week. It is a flying insect that I’ve seen in the evening or early nighttime, flies slowly, relatively easy to kill. Any thoughts? Glenelg St W. Lindsay, Ontario. Canada

Number 6451. This is an assassin bug known as a masked hunter (Reduvius personatus; Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae). This is a cosmopolitan species often found indoors and reputed to have a very painful ‘bite’- Click here for more detailed information.

6449. Found this bug in the house near my exterior door. Chelford rd. Toronto, Ontario. Canada

Number 6449. This is an assassin bug known as a masked hunter (Reduvius personatus; Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae). This is a cosmopolitan species often found indoors and reputed to have a very painful ‘bite’- Click here for more detailed information.

6447. Found this dead bug, plus another dozen or so, outside, in the capture of my gutters, coming from the second story roof. Any idea what it might be. Romaniuk Place, Richmond, British Columbia. Canada

Number 6447. This is a scarab beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae); it looks like one those commonly called June bugs or May beetles. These are clumsy fliers, and probably landed on the roof and tumbled into the gutter.

6445. Very slow moving bug. When I touched it, it’s lower body was able to stretch out, and retract back again. Very strange creature! Seaforth, Ontario. Canada

Number 6445. This is a larva of a lacewing (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). These are general predators on other small, soft-bodied arthropods such as aphids and caterpillars. Occasionally, they will ‘sample’ human skin, but their bite is harmless.