Identifying Flying Insects
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?
To get fast control of the adult flying insect I like a fly treatment product called PT 565 Plus XLO. Works great and only requires a small burst of spray to kill the adult flies. If you've got hard-to-reach enclosed spaces you may also want to try a fogger or Nuvan ProStrips. I really like the Nuvan Pro Strips because they give off an insect killing vapor that works for weeks. You can only use these strips in enclosed areas like an attic, closet or other isolated location where humans and pets won't be constantly exposed to the vapors. You can see them on this website by clicking on the red, underlined words in this article.
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.
Sometimes with leaks, the water finds its way under the floor tiles through cracks in the grout. If that has happened, you may have to remove the floor tile and dry out the floor under the tiles. Worse, if the foul water found its way under the entire slab, you could have the flies breeding in the soil under the poured slab. In that case, you would have to open the floor slab, have a contractor dig out the foul soil and replace it with clean soil. A large and expensive undertaking, to be sure.
These tiny flies manage to slip through cracks that are paper-thin. It may look like it would be impossible for an insect to navigate through something so small, yet the presence of these flies is proof that they can do it.
Get your flies identified. Take them to your local county extension agent or to one of the local pest control companies for a free ID. Knowing the insect species will tell you where they breed and how to control them. It's the single most important step in controlling an insect problem.
Comments
lynn
30 Jan 2010, 19:49
30 Jan 2010, 19:49
I have small flying insects in my home,at frist they would hide and i could
never find them..Now they fly around,(they look grayish white.)I just
killed one,And there were white spots,I had to get a magnifling glass to
see them..(and there eggs)...i am a farm girl and have seen a lot of
bugs,but not this one...i live in a small city in Virginia..there about 1/2
inch long..I want to no what they are and how to kill them....
Michelle
20 Feb 2010, 11:16
20 Feb 2010, 11:16
We have small brown flying insects in our house. They remind me of a fruit
fly but there has been no fruit lay8ing out. We noticed them after my
daughter received some roses and I thought they we from those, but after we
threw out the roses more of these bugs appeared. What are they and how do
ai get rid of them?
sylvie
25 Feb 2010, 18:34
25 Feb 2010, 18:34
hi
i av just found small insect with wings that fly in the corner in my bedroom & im really worried could you tell me wat it could be thank you sylvie
i av just found small insect with wings that fly in the corner in my bedroom & im really worried could you tell me wat it could be thank you sylvie
mildred
15 Mar 2010, 16:49
15 Mar 2010, 16:49
i have tiny flies,coming from de batnroom ,someone told me their living
inside the pipes,i wanna now if is truth and what can i do.
Kira
26 Mar 2010, 04:57
26 Mar 2010, 04:57
My fiance just found a giant, winged insect inside our house. it is about
an inch long, and a half inch in diameter. it is black with iridecent
purple wings, and has furry legs. When he tried to grab it with a paper
towel, it vibrated and either bit or stung him. what is this weird insect?
It is not a beetle because it does not have the hard casing for the wings.
yvette
08 Apr 2010, 14:48
08 Apr 2010, 14:48
I keep seeing alot of very little bugs on my ceiling inthe bathroom,
kitchen, and bedroom always around the light fixtures> They seem to just
crawl very slowly and then fly what is it and how do i get rid of it.
erica humphery
19 Apr 2010, 03:46
19 Apr 2010, 03:46
A couple of months ago my mom had to clean out EVERY cabinet in our kitchen
bc we kept finding maggots on our ceiling.we would kill them all day but
out of nowhere the maggots would reappear! Then we started to kill these
brown flys.they would only fly from one wall to the next and when you swat
them, the would leave this sort of ash on the wall.we also kept finding
these bugs in our grits, cake mixes, and rices.so we threw alot of our food
away.now that the kitchen no longer have the maggots or flies in the
kitchen, I've b een killing about 10 of them out of mt room everyday! And I
find maggot cocoons in my clothes and an actual maggot in my closet!please
HELP! What so I do? What are the things
Amy
30 Apr 2010, 11:34
30 Apr 2010, 11:34
To erica:
I think the creatures you keep finding are moths, I've had an infestation before, it's a nightmare so I completely sympathise!
To get rid of them we had to keep killing them, and put mothballs everywhere (not in the kitchen tho!). Also make sure you shut the door behind you whenever you leave a room as this prevents them spreading all over your house, hiding out and laying maggots in ur drawers and wardrobe. that did the trick for us but u mite want to ask ur local supermarket or garden centre if they have any specialised products for such an infestation.
Good luck!
I think the creatures you keep finding are moths, I've had an infestation before, it's a nightmare so I completely sympathise!
To get rid of them we had to keep killing them, and put mothballs everywhere (not in the kitchen tho!). Also make sure you shut the door behind you whenever you leave a room as this prevents them spreading all over your house, hiding out and laying maggots in ur drawers and wardrobe. that did the trick for us but u mite want to ask ur local supermarket or garden centre if they have any specialised products for such an infestation.
Good luck!
Ask the Exterminator
30 Apr 2010, 12:47
30 Apr 2010, 12:47
Clothing moths will build webbing on clothing, but the moths in the kitchen
are more likely Indian Meal moths which infest pantry foods.
mathew felows
02 May 2010, 18:25
02 May 2010, 18:25
i was on the bus when i looked down on my hand to where i felt sumthing
moving im not quite sure of wht i saw but it was horrible the description
is it looks like a bee or a wasp but has purple coloured wings its legs
were really fat not like big spider legs more like big bumble bee legs it
had an bright orange line inside its body thats it i took pics of it butt
there not that good ive never seen any thing like it befor if you think u
no wht it is plz tell me all i no it was deffo not a bee or a wasp it was
about the same size ass a bubble bee tho
Jenni Lynn
22 May 2010, 21:40
22 May 2010, 21:40
Kira and Mathew- There was one on my front porch. I looked around a bit and
I think it may be a "stone fly"
joyce
18 Jun 2010, 12:07
18 Jun 2010, 12:07
Sylvia! We have the same little flies here in Maryland. I will take a
photo and post it here so we can get an ID. They're not attracted to fruit
or sugar-water or light. Thousands of them like the cool wall in our
below-grade garage.
JOSIE ICCIO
19 Jun 2010, 20:17
19 Jun 2010, 20:17
i have these tiny tiny antlike flies they stick to my bay window during the
day and at night they crawl on the ceiling what are they?
Katherine Penney
20 Jun 2010, 12:44
20 Jun 2010, 12:44
Hi Walter,
I have the same problem that a lady called COurtney emailed you about in 2007. Cocoons in my lounge that contain maggot type insects that turn into very small dark black flies. I have taken a video of a live one i have caught while its still in its cocoon stage. I sit in my longe every evening and notice the flies and kill them and later find the empty cocoons. This is the 3rd summer now i have had this problem. I have no pets, and the house is fairly clutter free and have found no other site of them other than the lounge. Last year when i moved all the furniture about as it got really bad i found under my sofa, the carpet appeared to have been eaten away and in one part were lots of gold coloured like eggs. Whether this was anything to do with it, im not sure. At the time i thouroughly cleaned the carpet and used RAID fly spray regularly. I thought that was the end of it, but once again i have noticed 3-4 flies in the past week and spotted and removed the shells. When you kill the fly its almost paper thin and leaves like a dust mark behind it. Have you got any idea what it is or how i might get rid of them. I am keen to replace the carpet in case they start growing there but if i do and this is not the source and the new carpet starts to be eaten away i will not be too happy.
Many thanks, Katherine. UK
I have the same problem that a lady called COurtney emailed you about in 2007. Cocoons in my lounge that contain maggot type insects that turn into very small dark black flies. I have taken a video of a live one i have caught while its still in its cocoon stage. I sit in my longe every evening and notice the flies and kill them and later find the empty cocoons. This is the 3rd summer now i have had this problem. I have no pets, and the house is fairly clutter free and have found no other site of them other than the lounge. Last year when i moved all the furniture about as it got really bad i found under my sofa, the carpet appeared to have been eaten away and in one part were lots of gold coloured like eggs. Whether this was anything to do with it, im not sure. At the time i thouroughly cleaned the carpet and used RAID fly spray regularly. I thought that was the end of it, but once again i have noticed 3-4 flies in the past week and spotted and removed the shells. When you kill the fly its almost paper thin and leaves like a dust mark behind it. Have you got any idea what it is or how i might get rid of them. I am keen to replace the carpet in case they start growing there but if i do and this is not the source and the new carpet starts to be eaten away i will not be too happy.
Many thanks, Katherine. UK
Ask the Exterminator
22 Jun 2010, 10:22
22 Jun 2010, 10:22
Who is Walter? Please post questions at the top of the page as instructed
in the bright red lettering.
Wendy Perry
05 Jul 2010, 23:44
05 Jul 2010, 23:44
I live in Ohio but tonight I had a swarm of black flying bugs come in my
door when I opened it. They are black with a hard shell took me a couple of
times to kill it and they look like a minature roach.
Cathy
24 Jul 2010, 14:35
24 Jul 2010, 14:35
I live in a rural/suburban community in virginia. Last night my dogs
caught a large bug, kinda looked like a fly on steriods. It was about 1/2"
wide and 3" long. When they were chasing it on the porch, it made a
rattling sound. From what I saw of it, there were a pair of translucent
wings, antennae,and had legs. I had never seen one of these before. What
do you think it was and how can I keep them from coming back again? Thank
you.
cherrie
28 Jul 2010, 14:21
28 Jul 2010, 14:21
i found a clear flying bug it is about 1 inc has 6 legs and 2 long feelers
or someting on the ass end can anyone help me out.
Izzy
01 Aug 2010, 06:28
01 Aug 2010, 06:28
Rick, you have the patience of a saint. After reading this page of comments
and people making demanding questions in the neighborhood of, "I have small
bugs with wings, they fly, WHAT ARE THEY?" I was already chuckling to
myself as I sensed your frustration. But, upon reading, "Who is Walter?" I
lost it. Despite your apparent endless battle of explaining how to use your
website, and explaining that you neither have bug detecting ESP to know
what kind of bugs these people have, I wish to take the time to thank you
for the moment of laughter I experienced from reading. Good Luck Rick! :)
Ask the Exterminator
02 Aug 2010, 22:34
02 Aug 2010, 22:34
Thanks, Izzy! Thank goodness I can laugh about it, too. It is simply
amazing how many people ignore the bold red notice. I'm sure I could say
"Earn a $100 if you post your question in the right place" and I'd never
have to make a single payment.
sawyer
04 Aug 2010, 19:43
04 Aug 2010, 19:43
I just bought a brand new house in the mid west. We are having these
flying red bugs. They are mainly upstairs and dont fly very much. They
look like red gnat beetles. They dont bite us but they are gross. They
are not coming from our bathroom - and dont look like the drain flies. Our
contractor told us that they have been in other houses he has built but
doesn't know where they come from. Can you help - how do I get rid of it?
Francesca
13 Aug 2010, 11:08
13 Aug 2010, 11:08
I'd like to know the name of a flying insect that is of the same or similar
colour as locust, as I have been either bitten or stung by it. I felt a
really sharp stab before my husband looked at my back and flicked the
insect off but he did not give a good luck at it but reckons the colour was
like that of a locust. The symphtom after it happened were hiyching and
buning and for a few minutes each time I moved I felt stabbing I'd very
much appreciate if I could know the name thank you.
Ask the Exterminator
13 Aug 2010, 13:12
13 Aug 2010, 13:12
Could be a cicada, but just collect one and take it to a local pest control
company for a free ID.
shenaz
14 Aug 2010, 18:33
14 Aug 2010, 18:33
i have little black beetles an little maggots in the corners in my kithen
an bathroom do you have an idea what they are and how i can get rid of
them.
thanks
thanks
Ask the Exterminator
14 Aug 2010, 21:11
14 Aug 2010, 21:11
You can send me a photo of your insect, but you must use the "Ask the
Exterminator" button at the top of the page to further communicate with me.
Steve
15 Aug 2010, 10:58
15 Aug 2010, 10:58
Hi. Please ignore this question if inappropriate.
Hiking in West Virginia, I saw a large flying gray insect. About 4 inches long including thin pinchers 1 inch in length and about 1 inch wide at the widest part of the wings at the other end. It almost looks like a long, thin moth with pinchers. Someone told me it was a "hegemon" bug, but that is not the right spelling as I cannot find it on the internet. This person also said it is used as fishing bait sometimes, and to beware of its painful bite.
If this rings a bell, maybe you can tell me what it might be. Sorry I do not have a specimen or a picture.
Hiking in West Virginia, I saw a large flying gray insect. About 4 inches long including thin pinchers 1 inch in length and about 1 inch wide at the widest part of the wings at the other end. It almost looks like a long, thin moth with pinchers. Someone told me it was a "hegemon" bug, but that is not the right spelling as I cannot find it on the internet. This person also said it is used as fishing bait sometimes, and to beware of its painful bite.
If this rings a bell, maybe you can tell me what it might be. Sorry I do not have a specimen or a picture.
Ask the Exterminator
16 Aug 2010, 14:20
16 Aug 2010, 14:20
I cannot ID without a photo.
Kelly Truesdell
04 Sep 2010, 12:25
04 Sep 2010, 12:25
Submitted a question 3 days ago, was as descriptive as possible,had photo's
but no where to upload them, These guys are becoming more populated.
Wendi
07 Sep 2010, 22:19
07 Sep 2010, 22:19
Where the hell do these stink bugs come from, and how do I get rid of them?
I have used household sprays (like Dow bathroom cleaner - which weighs
them down, enough to stop them from flying so I can kill them), but each
day I find (and kill) at least 3-4 of them. There are4 no holes in the
screen of the 1 window I have open... what the hell? How do they get in,
and why are they only in one room of the house?
Ask the Exterminator
09 Sep 2010, 12:18
09 Sep 2010, 12:18
http://www.asktheexterminator.com/Household_Pests/How_to_Get_Rid_of_Stink_B
ugs.shtml
Sherry
14 Sep 2010, 11:53
14 Sep 2010, 11:53
What kind of bug leaves a ring on my screens in the summer. Hard to clean
the droppings or whatever off. Thank you
Jenny
18 Sep 2010, 12:01
18 Sep 2010, 12:01
I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and have been battling with little
flying bugs that seem to be multiplying overnight. Some have a red back of
a body and others seem to be black. I have no pets and have been bitten on
various occasions in regards to this issue. I have placed out several
containers of orange dish soap and some are attracted and killed by it and
others pay no attention to it. I have bought Raid flying insect spray but
this does not always seem to be doing the job. What can be done with
household items on killing these bugs?
Tom
26 Sep 2010, 18:30
26 Sep 2010, 18:30
I have been noticing tiny (about 1/8" long) flies/bees in the windows of my
house, today there must be hundreds of them. They kind of resemble fruit
flies but have yelow & black stripes on their hind end. Do you know what
they are & what to do about them? I live in N Minnesota. Thanks
Ask the Exterminator
27 Sep 2010, 10:02
27 Sep 2010, 10:02
Flies or bees? I cannot make an ID based upon that description, so I
suggest you collect a few insects and take them to a local pest control
company for a free ID. Knowing the species will help you learn where they
are nesting and how to control them.
Lori
10 Oct 2010, 16:54
10 Oct 2010, 16:54
It's Oct. 10, 80 degrees in Minnesota. very warm & beautiful outside, but I
can't go out & enjoy because there are these tiny little black flea or knat
type insects biting you. They are so small you can't see them biting you.
They are worse if you are working around vegetation/flower beds it seems.
The bite areas leave huge, swollen, severely itchy welts that take forever
to heal. What the heck are these things? How can we get rid of them? I
have looked through the MN University list of insects & photos & I can't
find these little nasty pests. HELP!!!
Ask the Exterminator
11 Oct 2010, 11:28
11 Oct 2010, 11:28
I cannot ID without a clear photo. So, collect a few and take them to any
local pest control company for a free ID. You need to know the species
before you can hope to control them.
Hope Conley
11 Oct 2010, 13:00
11 Oct 2010, 13:00
I have these tiny red flying insects that seem to be hovering over my
kitchen sink. I have seen them in both bathrooms as well. What are they and
how can I get rid of them?
helpme
30 Oct 2010, 01:18
30 Oct 2010, 01:18
I have severe problems with some kind of tiny black insect with wings.
Today I came home from work and my shower was black with this insects. They
were in the corners of my shower, thousands of them!! It scared me very
much for it reminded of some Hiccok movie.
There were all death and then there many more all over the bathroom floor and some in my kitchen floor.
There were all death and then there many more all over the bathroom floor and some in my kitchen floor.
Ask the Exterminator
30 Oct 2010, 17:15
30 Oct 2010, 17:15
Probably drain moths or Phorid flies. They live under the tile floor or
behind the shower tile when mositure has seeped under the tile. You'll have
to remove the tile, dry the sublayer, and re-lay the tile. Pesticides will
not cure this problem.
Sophia
18 Apr 2011, 02:36
18 Apr 2011, 02:36
I really do love your site, and i enjoy this comment section. no one seems
to be paying attention to the directions, on how to get a question
answered. i actually found my answer in your article about Fungus Gnats. i
they ahve been here a long time, but couldnt figure out where they came
from, but we have had plumping problem for a very long time, and spuratic
leaks under the house for years. Thank you for the info about the fleas as
well, and also thank you for the hint about the honey, i just placed a
plate under my couch to catch them!! Thank you again, i love your site!!
deb
05 Sep 2011, 15:05
05 Sep 2011, 15:05
We are very very small flying jumping black insected in are house in the
bedroom. it bites.on the celling on us beed wall and it only comes out
when it dark. Do you are any idia what it camn be. Thanks deb
