Comments on: Arthropod Questions Answered

By: Tim Eisele

Tim Eisele — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:56:41 +0000

This doesn’t quite sound like anything I’ve seen up here. The closest thing is probably larder beetles, although they have more of a brown band across the shoulders, not something I’d call a golden stripe. What do the larvae look like? If they are smooth, and somewhat armored (like mealworms), then they are probably related to darkling beetles, but if they are kind of hairy they are probably some kind of dermestid beetle. Can you get a picture of them?

At any rate, the normal advice for getting rid of beetles like this is: (1) get rid of any dampness, and move the things that you find them living in away from walls and floors that might trap moisture; (2) vacuum up any organic debris; (3) wash any clothing they are getting into, and any clothes that aren’t going to be worn for a while should be washed, dried, and sealed up in bug-proof containers (those giant Ziploc bags are supposed to be good); and (4) if the first three don’t take care of the problem, sprinkle diatomaceous earth in areas that you have seen infestations starting.

This *should* take care of them, without having to call in an exterminator or spray around noxious chemicals (diatomaceous earth isn’t exactly a poison, it’s a powder with tiny sharp edges that poke holes in insects so that they bleed to death, but the edges are too small to penetrate the skin of humans or pets).

By: Tamara Mitchell

Tamara Mitchell — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:58:41 +0000

I am trying to identify a beetle that is EVERYWHRERE. It is in my house in every room and I have now found them in my car! They look like a darkling beetle, except that they have a golden horizontal stripe near their head. I first thought they were attracted to the crumbs my kids were getting under the couch. But since then I have seen them in the upstairs bedrooms and attic. They seem to like to hide. I have found them in clean laundry piles and in boxes in the attic. (places that do not have any food). We have just moved into this house about three months ago. We live in the upper peninsula of Michigan. I have never before seen these bugs. (we moved from indiana) but they are grossing my out. I mostly see the worms, before they shed and turn into the beetle. How can I get rid of them?

By: Tim Eisele

Tim Eisele — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 12:02:45 +0000

“bug blood” isn’t red (it’s usually colorless or greenish), and the only bugs I know of with a red blood-like pigment are the cochineal insects in Mexico. So, it’s a pretty safe bet that the red blood is either yours, or blood of some other mammal in the house.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:33:46 +0000

I’ve been getting bit by tiny little things at night (and probably during the day); No-see-ums, biting midges, I’m not sure. What I do know, however, is that during the day I sometimes squash little bugs on the window that have a little bit of red blood in them. So my question is this: Are there any bugs that have red blood (or some other fluid) when you squash them or is this a sure sign that the little bugger has been taking a drink of me?

By: Tim Eisele

Tim Eisele — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:51:53 +0000

Given what they are eating, I’d say there is a good chance they are larvae of one of the dozens of common species of dermestid beetle. They are well-known for eating bits of skin and dried flesh off of bones. I have a picture of one here, if yours looks different it may be a different species, but I expect it is related. Can you get a picture, or even make a sketch?

In any case, as far as I know dermestid beetles are harmless to anything that is still alive.

By: Ryan B

Ryan B — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:04:05 +0000

I have an the top of an old deer skull with antlers in my room that i killed about 4 years ago. I recently discovered shaving all around it and when I looked to see what was causing this i found the skull infested with some sort of bug, living and gnawing out the marrow of the skull. They were almost catepillar looking, but had some sort of tail that made them look like an earwig. When I shook them out they were all different sizes from maybe a half inch long to almost microscopic. What on earth type of bug was this? i have searched many sites and pictures and have not yet found this bone gnawing insect. I mainly want to figure out what this was so i can know whether or not to be worried.

By: Tim Eisele

Tim Eisele — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:20:44 +0000

No, I don’t want it, I wouldn’t know what to do with it either. If you think you might have got something from your puppies, maybe you should talk to a veterinarian in addition to going to see your doctor and a dermatologist.

By: moparhearher

moparhearher — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:06:27 +0000

I forgot to tell you a few more things, First it doesn’t itch, not at all. Also about 1 third of my hair has fallen out, almost all of my left eyebrow is gone(NO! not from scratchting it, that’s what the ignorant dr at the er told me, Like I would know whether or not I scratched my eyebrow off! Half of my r/brow is gone also. Now here’s the really weird part, are you ready?When this first started in late May I figured I got it from our new puppies, We just had a batch of chihuahua’s born May 14 so I was pretty cool with it knowing I wouldn’t die…But hold the fort!!!!2 days later I was cleaning out my purse, it was a disgrace, when I found a worm, unlike any I had seen before. I screamed holly h***! my friend put it in a baggie where it still resides. Do you have any idea who I can contact about this or where I can take it? You want it?Thank you so much kind sir for your promptness regarding my mail

By: Tim Eisele

Tim Eisele — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:05:13 +0000

Well, first off, calm down. If it hasn’t gotten worse since May, I doubt it will get worse in the next nine days. I’m not aware of any North American biting insects or skin parasites that are life-threatening, or even that cause any real lasting harm (other than the possibility of skin infections if you keep scratching the bite). I’m not a medical doctor, obviously, but I don’t think that you have anything to worry about aside from some itching and discomfort. You are already doing the right thing. Go ahead, see your doctor, get your dermatologist referral, and in the meanwhile keep the sore (or sores) clean, and try not to scratch it. If you can’t help scratching it, try disinfecting it and putting a bandage over it to keep from absent-mindedly scratching it open again. Sometimes, if I don’t keep myself from scratching black-fly bites, they last for weeks, but they clear up right away if I just leave them alone.

By: moparhearher

moparhearher — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:56:46 +0000

PLEASE help me. There is something living on(under) my skin. I’ve gone to the ER twice and was laughed out of there.I can see them & they have a very distinct soar, it looks like a sun that a small child draws. round with spikes around the outside. I’ve had this since may & need a referall to see a dermatologist but I still have 9 more days till my primary care dr, appt. I’m afraid I’m gonna die. That wouldn’t bother me except I have kids, if not for them I’d put the bullet in my head myself. Please your my last hope I’m not being dramatic just can’t live like this any longer. If you can’t help me, read my obit in the PI. Don’t mean to sound threatening, just so very desperate

By: Tim Eisele

Tim Eisele — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:14:04 +0000

Well, according to this page on Bug Guide, immature female black widows frequently have the red marks on the top of the abdomen rather than (or in addition to) the bottom. It probably isn’t anything that needs to be reported. I’ve been finding that spider ID is pretty tricky, so being able to say what it is for sure, other than “some relative of the Black Widow”, is probably not going to be practical.

As far as that goes, even if it was confirmed to be an Australian redback, and you did want to report it, I’m not sure who you would report it *to*. In Michigan, I suppose we could try contacting the Cooperative Extension Service, or maybe the Department of Natural Resources, but I’m not sure that they would do anything about it. Probably the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology would be more likely to at least record it, but again I doubt that they’d do anything else. For Texas, substitute the names of the equivalent government agencies/universities.

By: bananaspider

bananaspider — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:57:40 +0000

Hi,

I live in Texas and have trapped what looks like a Red-Back Spider (totally black in color with red stripe like feature along its upper abdomin). My research reveals it is a relative of the Black Widow spider.

Although, The Red-Back is, supposedly, only found in Australia/Tasmania. Should I report this or go on my merry way?

Thanks!

By: Chris Alquist

Chris Alquist — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:17:58 +0000

Hi,

I am the Program Coordinator at the Portage Lake District Library in Houghton and am wondering if you would consider doing a program for kids and adults about bugs for our Summer Reading Program. The theme for the Summer Reading Program is Catch the Reading Bug,” and it goes for six weeks beginning July 7.

Please contact me either at the library (482-4570) or email me and let me know if you are interested. Your website is awesome, and I think you’d have good ideas for a great presentation.

Thanks so much,
Chris

By: Tim Eisele

Tim Eisele — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:58:03 +0000

Well, everything I have read about spiders suggests that you have very little to worry about. As far as I know, Crab Spiders do not have a venom that is dangerous to humans. Just treat it as a simple puncture wound - clean it, and if it looks like it has gotten infected, see a doctor about it, the same as you might do if he’d poked himself with a pin or been stung by a small bee. Otherwise, it shouldn’t be a problem.

By: Nee, nee

Nee, nee — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:47:26 +0000

My son was just bitten by what we think was a “Goldenrod Crab Spider-possibly female” we can’t seem to find any info. on the bite itself, and what we need to do!!! can anyone guide us please…Thanks