Eeeww! What the Hell are these things?! Microscopic red bugs in the tub...

[nicknameless]

Noticed mostly around the drain at first. They seem to be coming from cracks in the caulk and between tiles.
Bleach doesn't seem to affect them much. (Gave me a migraine)
Since I pretty much subscribe to that "no fly is immune to a hammer" approach, there's been lots of squashing by hand.

They aren't ants.
They're less than 1 millimeter in diameter.
This isn't a matter of bug bites (so far?), just the willies. x(

Does anyone have any idea what they are, or how to get rid of them?

[NVMojo]

1. where do you live???

[nicknameless]

3. SF Bay Area

[Warren DeMontague]

2. Aphids?

If that's the case, not sure what they're doing in your bathtub, but they should be harmless.

[nicknameless]

8. I wish they were aphids, since I know they're harmless little guys.

[Maddy McCall]

4. Clover Mites

http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com/info/faq/ask_clovermites.htm

[nicknameless]

12. There is clover around.

But do they like to inhabit bathtubs?

[NuttyFluffers]

38. if you have mold or mildew, apparently yes.

or as the web link said, "leave off mold or mildew." :P ahh, homophonic ambiguity... :7

[nicknameless]

41. It's a damp area. Lots of fog.

Mildew around some windows right now. Time for some early spring cleaning.
The tub is pretty much spotless. But behind the caulk and tile could be another story entirely. ... Eeeww. What a thought.

[Emit]

42. This is a gross question, but

when you squish them, do they leave a red stain? If so, that would be typical of the Clover Mite.

[nicknameless]

52. Yes.

They leave little tiny squash marks of red. Do clover mites move very quickly?

[Emit]

60. Yes, like little spiders.

Here's a description. If the chemicals don't work, this says to vacuum them. Other things I read about them say they are actually a spring/fall pest, and they like cooler temps, which would make sense for where you are.

The warmer weather has brought out tiny 'red bugs' in homes. These minute creatures are clover mites. These insect relatives (they are closely related to spiders and ticks) are about the size of a 'pinhead' and are reddish or rust -colored. When viewed under a microscope (you might be able to tell with a hand lens), you can see the first pair of legs are quite long.

These mites are usually found in lawns where they feed on the sap of grass, clover, and other plants. Despite this feeding, they do not injure grass. Last fall, some clover mites moved from lawns to homes to spend the winter in protected cracks and spaces. As spring arrives, clover mites that are in or near buildings often enter homes, sometimes in large numbers. Due to their small size, they can easily move into buildings through small spaces in the foundation and around ground level windows. You are most likely to find clover mites on the sunny south side of buildings.

Although they can be quite annoying, clover mites are harmless to people and animals. Once clover mites are found in your home the simplest way to get rid of them is to remove them with a vacuum or to wipe them up carefully with a damp cloth. You do need to be careful because clover mites can stain fabric and other materials if crushed.

To prevent clover mites in the long term, cultivate the soil around your home in a band of 18 to 24 inches. This helps deter clover mites. You can plant flowers in that area but don't space them so close that clover mites can use them as a bridge across the soil. Landscape rock or wood chips are not effective barriers. As a last resort, you can treat the foundation of the house with an registered pesticide (dicofol , chlorpyrifos , or diazinon).

http://www.extension.umn.edu/yardandgarden/YGLNews/YGLN-Apr1500.html#mites

[nicknameless]

64. Very helpful info.

Thank you for posting that! It's great to know what these things are. It makes sense that they'd be in this area at this time.

:thumbsup:

[Emit]

37. Sure sounds like Clover Mites --here's a pic

http://entweb.clemson.edu/cuentres/eiis/pdfs/hs17.pdf

[snowbear]

5. Chiggers maybe?

Ewww bugs!

We don't have chiggers in Alaska, but I've seen them when I was down in Florida lots of times.

[nicknameless]

36. I hope not.

:(

[amitten]

6. In my experience, tiny tiny red bugs are usually mites.

:shrug: I only run into them outside in the summer, though. They're more or less harmless.

[nicknameless]

39. Thanks. I really appreciate hearing the word "harmless".

;)

VERY tiny. Some seem only visible through the loupe. I'll check out mites on the 'net.

[babylonsister]

7. Where do you live/what state/temp/humidity? You must be in the

south somewhere for bugs to even live.

[nicknameless]

20. Not in the South.

SF Bay Area.

[nicknameless]

69. Maybe they like the fog.

It acts like insulation in winter months. Inland gets much colder.

:shrug:

[Warren DeMontague]

9. Hey, before you do anything else real chemical, try dr. bronners soap.

Peppermint.

Makes an astoundingly effective insecticide.

[nicknameless]

14. I have a bar of it in the tub. They seem to like it.

:(

[Warren DeMontague]

17. Weird. I've never come across an insect that the liquid kind wont kill.

It's gotta be peppermint, though. Something about the peppermint oil. The bar may not have the same effect. I put some of the liquid in a spray bottle with water, and when ants come in the house, it pretty much kills em instantly.

[nicknameless]

22. I have a bottle of peppermint oil. I could try that.

That's interesting about the ants. It *is* magic soap, after all. :)

[Warren DeMontague]

27. Yeah, I can't remember where I first read about it..

but I found this:

http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/home/194

Good luck!

[nicknameless]

33. Thank you!

I have peppermint soap, peppermint oil, and garlic. Also teatree oil.
One way or another, I'll get rid of those little creeps yet! ;)

[nicknameless]

81. Interesting!

I was just smearing peppermint oil around the caulk, when I saw one of these critters walking in the tub. I took the Q-tip and drew a circle of peppermint oil around him. He went in circles for a number of minutes, but wouldn't cross the line.
That worked very well! :)

[Richard D]

10. Spider mite?

[nicknameless]

16. That's the general body shape.

I've been looking at them under a 10x loope trying to identify them.
Are they that small?
Do they like bathtubs/showers?

[Richard D]

83. Yup

They are that small. They are harmless though.

[snowbear]

18. Oh gross Richard!

That's one ugly bug!

[nicknameless]

23. And they're TINY!!!

I went to look at one under the loupe and found that there was another with him that I hadn't seen.

:scared:

[Nostradammit]

32. Those are really good with lemon butter -

hard to open, however.

[Daphne08]

78. Ewwwwww. Nasty-looking.

[Cobalt Violet]

88. That's what it sounds like to me. n/t

[arcane1]

11. I used to see little red-dot bugs in VA

you're scaring me now, since I'm now in the bay area! :scared:

[nicknameless]

65. Well it sounds like they're probably harmless. Just annoying.

Welcome to the Bay Area! :hi:

[SoCalDem]

13. Spray the area with bleach water... Careful if you have pets

If you can lave it on for a while, it might super-clean the area and kill the bugs at the same time.:)

[nicknameless]

25. I was so freaked out that I used straight bleach.

I may have rinsed it off too soon. I still ended up with a migraine, and the bugs are still around.
Hearty little creeps.

[nicknameless]

71. You may have put me off of easter eggs permanently.

x(

[Swamp Rat]

15. That ain't nuthin'!

I got bit by a spider last night and I have huge cockroaches EVERYWHERE, and thousands of tiny flies that won't go away! ... that's just the stuff I can see! :scared:

[snowbear]

24. Ack!! Cockroaches???

I HATE cockroaches!! x(

If I happen to dream about them tonight, it's all your fault Swamp Rat!

[Swamp Rat]

29. Yes, large flying roaches

and there are everywhere in my house... I just killed two more!

I'm more worried about getting bitten by a spider again. :(

And the damn air outside is almost unbreatheable! They must be burning more refuse at the dump tonight, including dead animals and such.

[bobbieinok]

73. osage orange or hedge apple......my dad said it was the best thing

against cockroaches......I don't remember them as a kid......one year driving down to OK from IA we found some on the ground and took them with us b/c they were so odd looking....and my dad was so pleased

http://66.218.69.11/search/cache?p=osage+orange&fr=ieas&u=hedgeapple.com/&w=osage+orange&d=X_I7xm1aMa9d&icp=1&.intl=us

[GoddessOfGuinness]

87. Spiders ought to help your roach problem.

My parents had roaches when I was a kid. My brother and I used to feed them to the spiders that lived in back of the toilet.

[nicknameless]

28. !!!

:scared: :hug:

So you're sayin' I don't have it so bad? ;)

[Swamp Rat]

31. Well, it's all relative I suppose.

;) :hug:

At least I'm back in my house and it's not too moldy. :)

[nicknameless]

47. You're back in your home! YAY!!!

:bounce:

What excellent news! You can get rid of whatever mold is there. At least you're home!!!
:toast: :woohoo: :toast: :bounce: :woohoo: :toast:

[mahina]

70. Here's something you'll like then...

Here in Honolulu we have those too, we call em B-52s, the flying cockroaches. So one day I saw one and all I had around was simple green. Guess what? When you squirt em with simple green they die really fast. Easier to hit them, plus they don't scram like when you come after them with a slipper.

Little known fact.

[Swamp Rat]

75. HA!

B-52s :D

Yes, I discovered by accident that Simple Green kills them the same way. I'm pretty good with a flip flop too. ;)

[SoCalDem]

85. Hairspray works well too... especially on scary spiders

and it even smells good... Anything that clogs up their breathing mechanism.

[Daphne08]

79. You must live in Louisiana.

I was born and raised there, and I've seen roaches the size of mice!

[Swamp Rat]

80. Way'at Daphne08!!

:hi: Yep. Dey get dat big here in N'walins! :D

[The_Casual_Observer]

19. I hate to say it, but Raid will probably work pretty good.

[nicknameless]

54. I can't use Raid.

I'm too chemical sensitive. The bleach messed me up for two days. :(

[blogslut]

21. Borax, baby

The stuff eats their waxy exoskeletons. You can get it at almost any grocery store and it's relatively safe for pets and humans.

[nicknameless]

35. I'll look for it.

I used to use Borax. It's a great product.

How should I use it for bugs? Do you just dump the powder around where you see them?

[blogslut]

44. That's what I would do.

Pour it around the drain, along the edges, near the walls. Probably even around the base of your toilet. When it comes to killing bugs, Borax rules. I mix it with sugar, put it in an old dish soap container and "spray" it around doorways and windows to keep the ants away in summer. It whacks fleas too.

[nicknameless]

46. Excellent!

They're getting smacked tonight with peppermint oil and more boiling water. Tomorrow will be Borax.

:thumbsup:

[blogslut]

48. mind you

Death is not instantaneous. They walk through the stuff. It gets on their bodies. Their bodies dry up. Then they die.

Good luck :)

[nicknameless]

51. Thanks

I'll be patient for the desired results. ;)

[NYC]

57. Did you use Borax or boric acid?

In New York, we use boric acid for roaches. Clogs their intestines or something, so they die relatively soon but not immediately.

Borax is just for laundry here.

[nicknameless]

61. I used Borax for cleaning.

I'll try it for these critters too.
How do you use boric acid? Is it very harsh to be around?

[NYC]

Boric acid is not harsh.

It is a white powder. I think it has no odor. (I don't remember ever noticing any.)

You spread it where they are likely to walk (not around pets). It is good for 3 months or 6 months, then you have to spread new boric acid.

I think humans use it for eye wash, and I have heard that people use small doses for stomach aches, but I wonder if they are supposed to or not. THEY ARE NOT.

It is safe to be around, as long as you don't eat it. CORRECTION BELOW It isn't is poison. CORRECTION BELOW You cannot leave it where pets can get it. If you don't have pets, don't hesitate to spread it all over.

You can buy it at the drug store.

Borax contains boron, and I imagine boric acid does, too.

Apparently, it is poison. (Though I don't consider table salt poison, so I'm not sure what they are talking about.)

Read this:
It can be used as an antiseptic only for minor burns or cuts and is sometimes used in dressings or salves or is applied in a very dilute solution as an eye wash. It is poisonous if taken internally or inhaled, although it is generally not considered to be much more toxic than table salt (based on its mammal LD50 rating of 2660mg/kg body mass).

Re bug killing:
...especially in the case of cockroaches, the boric acid in the form of a powder is applied to areas frequented by the insects. The lightweight particles cling to the legs of the insects and eventually cause fatal chemical burns.

Doesn't work the way I thought. Sounds disgusting.

Anyway, for yourself, think of it this way. You wouldn't eat powdered laundry detergent because it would poison you, but you are not afraid to handle it. Boric acid is no more threatening than that. Keep it away from pets.

[nicknameless]

67. I'll look into it too. Thanks!

[blogslut]

62. Borax

While Boric acid and Borax, are not exactly the same, both kill the creepy crawlies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borax

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boric_acid

I have some boric acid that I got from the pharmacy dept. of my grocery store. Still haven't used it yet.

[NYC]

63. That's good to know.

Boric acid is probably cheaper. It doesn't have the fancy packaging of Borax. On the other hand, you can't use it on your laundry.

Thanks for the information.

[NYC]

26. Pour boiling water on them, and wash them down the drain.

They sound like mites that are usually on plants, but when there are too many of them, they leave the plants. They could have crawled up your drain.

[nicknameless]

30. I dumped two pots of boiling water into and around the edge of the tub

tonight. Maybe I should keep doing that.

[NYC]

49. Keep doing it.

If they are coming up the drain, you need to keep washing them back.

Someone once got mites on 3 or 4 indoor geraniums. She didn't notice it until they had spread everywhere. They were even crawling out her doorbell on the front door. (Hers were going out, not coming in.)

If these are coming inside, they must have overrun the plants they were living on. Assume it is a major assault, and keep up the battle. Bugs do come up drains, so I assume that's why they are in the bathtub.

I wonder if adding salt to the water will help. For sluggish drains, you should pour salt and boiling water. Maybe you should take this opportunity to clear your drain while you are battling the invasion. (Also clear out the dead mites in the drain after you drown them.)

Good luck.

[nicknameless]

55. I'll keep up the boiling water. The drain moves pretty well, but the

thought of having a bunch of bugs living down there is beyond gross. I may add a few things to the water. ;)

[HysteryDiagnosis]

76. Be careful there.... remember Stephen King's "It". n/t

[nicknameless]

77. Fortunately, I've never seen or read Stephen King's work.

Real life can be scary enough. :hide:

[nicknameless]

56. dupe delete

[Mabus]

34. Get a picture and submit it to www.whatsthatbug.com

A sample:

Running MItes
(02/02/2005) Help, what's this bug?
Hello,
We’ve been battling this bug with our Pest Control people, but nothing seems to get rid of them. They are very, very little reddish bugs that appear in my bathtub, bathroom floor, windowsill, and sink. If you smash one, it will leave a red “blood” stain. In the mornings is when they seem to be out the most. I attached a picture and it’s not a good one, but it’s the best I could get since they were so small. I live in SC now, but I also saw these bugs on rocks while growing up in PA, although the ones in PA were a lot brighter of a red color. From what I could see, I think they have 4 legs and 2 long antennae. I couldn’t find a picture of a Running Mite that looks like this bug or else that’s what I’d say these are. They don’t seem to be biting and I only itch when I think about them. Any help would be grateful.
Thanks,
Chuck

Hi Chuck,
You do have Running Mites and you don't have to worry about being bitten or itching.

[nicknameless]

45. Wow. Thanks.

That sounds like them.
They don't move slowly, they move like spiders.
I just checked Google images. They look just like that, except maybe a little less red.
That could be it.

[obxhead]

40. If you live in an Apartment setting....

and they are spider mites.....

Well, if your into it, ya might want to chat with the neighbors as they may be the "phat" hookup....

:evilgrin: :smoke: :spank:

[nicknameless]

50. Consensus seems to point to mites. Photos look like these critters too.

I've just got to get to work cleaning them out of here.

[obxhead]

59. LOL....

:popcorn:

[obxhead]

58. LOL....

:popcorn:

[upi402]

43. "Get in my belly!"

Bed bugs are creepy. Had them in SE Asia. Freak and tweek, all night long.

[nicknameless]

53. I hope not.

I'm hoping they're just mites.

[NMMNG]

66. Clover Mites

I had them in my place years ago. x(

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2095.html

[nicknameless]

68. I don't have them in large numbers that some seem to.

It sounds like they can really overrun people's yards and homes. How awful.
What did you do to get rid of them?


BTW, I finally got to see a video clip of that fundy woman you used to have in your signature. Oh. My. :scared:

[Kurovski]

72. They may be Republican hatchlings...

best to call in an exorcist.

[nicknameless]

74. I lost sleep over the thought of chiggers one night.

If they're rethugs, I may as well just move. ... then burn the place down. x(

[lonestarnot]

82. Best to burn down the house!

[bleedingheart]

84. The are spider mites...as kids we used to squash em on our fingers

and run into the house asking for bandaids...

[nicknameless]

89. Ha!

Too funny. :D

[riona]

86. a palmolive liquid perimeter

[nicknameless]

90. Thanks

I'll add that suggestion to my arsenal. :)