Summary:
Properly identifying flying insects you find in your house can give you clues about problems you may be having with moisture or insect infestations.
A reader asks: We recently had a leaky pipe in the wall between our kitchen and bathroom. The leak was repaired about six months ago. Now, we are seeing these very small fly-like insects with wings crawling on the kitchen floor. They came from behind the refrigerator which is where the old leak occurred. The sheet rock was dry but we had these bugs all over. What are they?
A reader asks: We recently had a leaky pipe in the wall between our kitchen and bathroom. The leak was repaired about six months ago. Now, we are seeing these very small fly-like insects with wings crawling on the kitchen floor. They came from behind the refrigerator which is where the old leak occurred. The sheet rock was dry but we had these bugs all over. What are they?
Dear Reader: Sounds like it may be termites or the winged stage of one of many types of ants. We suggest collecting a few termite samples in a bottle and have them identified by your county extension agent. Proper and correct identification is key to getting fast control and it may tell you something about what might be happening inside sealed walls.
Termites and ants look very different. Ants have a very defined pinched waist, while termites do not have the pinched waist. Ants have clear wings and the veins are very visible. Termites have milky colored wings and the veins are less defined.
The flying insects you had with the leaky pipe were probably fungus gnats or Phorid flies. Once the water problem was corrected they had no acceptable breeding environment and should have died off quickly. If they are still present you probably still have something leaking.
Comments
Lyn
11 Jul 2008, 13:52
A small insect shaped like an elongated rice kernel-about 1/2 inch long.
This critter jumps only anddoes not fly or crawl. It reminds me of a
cricket or grasshopper
Ask The Exterminator
11 Jul 2008, 14:32
Have you been eating Rice Krispies again? Snap! Crackle and Jump! Actually,
I cannot begin to guess, so I suggest collecting a few of the critters and
having a pest professional identifiy it for you. Once you know exactly what
you have, getting rid of it is usually pretty easy.
Dale Tieman
14 Jul 2008, 11:28
I need help controling a type of bug that is eating my roses off of their
stems.they are a tan colored bug that flyes,about a 1/2 in. in length.they
will stack themselves up on the inside of a rose and eat the petals off,or
you might find them under the rose. I have tryed seven spray, raid and
nothing seems to get ride of them. HELP
Ask The Exterminator
14 Jul 2008, 11:29
Probably rose chafers. If their numbers are not too great you can hand pick
them off the flowers. Some have suggested using sex pheromone traps to
reduce their population. These traps can be purchased in lawn and garden
specialty stores or on line. Pesticide treatments should only be done after
the first bloom when the beetles are found in high populations. Probably
will require a second application, as well.
julie
23 Sep 2008, 19:21
I have small flying bugs that migrate in the kitchen, especially around the
sink. I thought they were fruit flies but I got rid of all the fruit and
they are still flying around. They are the size of fruit flies, but lighter
in color. I do not know what they are or how to get rid of them. Please
help
Ask the Exterminator
24 Sep 2008, 15:30
Lots of different types of small flies are associated with over-ripe fruits
and veggies. However, just getting rid of fruit will not cure the problem.
These flies breed in any location where decaying matter can be found
including inside the garbage disposer, under the refrigerator, around the
legs of the stove and under the plastic garbage can liner.
Put out a glue board and bait it with a dab of ketchup or mayo. Both have
vinegar in the contents that will draw the flies. Once you see a
significate catch of flies you should get a better idea of where their
breeding site might be found.
