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About Nathan Riggs
Expertise
I have expertise in identifying insects, many types of spiders, and other arthropod critters that infest lawns, ornamentals, structures, trees, pets and livestock. Mites are not a strong point of mine, but I can provide some help. I'm not a licensed doctor, so I cannot provide medical diagnosis of conditions possibly related to insects. If you've got an interesting photo for me to see, let me know and I'll give you my email so the picture will get to me. If you have hosted an insect photo on a website, please include the link so I can go look at it and provide a faster ID for you. Don't forget...you can now attach pictures to your questions as well!
Experience
17 Years' Experience as an entomologist: 5 years as a biologist with Merck Animal Health and 7 years as a Pest Management Specialist in San Antonio, Texas with Texas Cooperative Extension.
Publications
Veterinary Parasitology, Southwestern Entomologist, San Antonio Express News, San Antonio Gardener Newsletter
Education/Credentials
BS - Entomology from Texas A&M University in 1992.
Board Certified Entomologist, 1996-2000 - Medical and Veterinary Entomology Specialty (Entomological Society of America)
Awards and Honors
2000 Texas A&M University Vice Chancellor's Award in Excellence for leadership on the Texas Fire Ant Program Educational Team.
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You are here: Experts > Science > Insects/Spiders > Entomology (Study of Bugs) > Little tiny worms
Expert: Nathan Riggs - 11/3/2009
Question
Here is the history. I live 6 months in Alaska, and 6 months in seattle... I am currently in Seattle just back from alaska and every fall I get tons of fruit flies (which I don't have fruit out, so I don't know where they are coming from). They are also always in my bathroom?!?! Are they drain flies? I put out vinegar traps and I thought I got them all, but I just got back from a weekend trip and they are back. I just killed two. Red eyes...
2nd problem. I noticed two small worms inching up the wall in my stair case. They are tiny... maybe 3mm in size or less. Most have been black, but I have seen two white ones. I found one on the floor in my bathroom, two in my kitchen and just now one in my carpet. Where are they coming from? I attached pictures of the worms.. This I have never seen before.
last winter we had a flood from a toilet, and remodeled.. all new carpet and floors in kitchen and bath... do you think that possibly something is molding in my floors from the flood (maybe they didn't dry out enough?!) I live in a condo unit. Do you think it could be coming from another home?
I am calling pest control tomorrow, but can you help?
It's grossing me out. I am clean freak.. and can't understand where they are coming from!!
Thanks!
ps. I have more pictures if needed.
Answer
This is a carpet beetle larva. These beetles and their larvae feed on dead insects in carpets as well as other natural fibers and such. They are also known to feed on dried out animal carcasses.
For more information, do a search for "carpet beetle" or "dermestid beetle."
Nice picture!
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