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Entomology (Study of Bugs)/Almost microscopic red bug??

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Expert: Ed Saugstad - 11/29/2004


Question
Dear Ed,

As of late I have been seeing these really tiny tiny tiny red round shaped bugs crawling around my window sills and on my bed, I can't see any detail on them other than that they are about the size of a grain of sand and when you squish them they smear red blood.  I have found some in my bed and wondering what they are and if they bite...I think I am also being bitten at night, I have searched for bedbugs in all the small crevices and don't know exactly what I'm looking for!   What are these almost microscopic bugs and what does a bed bug look like?

Thanks,
Sara

Answer
Dear Sara - I just realized that I had failed to supply you with any information on bed bugs! Please see http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05574.html for a fact sheet that includes some images. If this doesn't answer your concerns, please get back to me.
Apologetically,
Saugy

Dear Sara - Without additional information, my best guess is that they may be clover mites (Bryobia praetiosa). These tiny critters sometimes invade homes/offices in enormous numbers. They are harmless, but do indeed leave a red stain if squished. See http://muextension.missouri.edu/xplor/agguides/pests/g07358.htm for a fact sheet and see if the description matches what you are seeing.
Hope this helps,
Saugy

Entomology (Study of Bugs)

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Ed Saugstad

Expertise

Will accept most questions in general entomology, including those related to medical entomology, taxonomy, ecology, arthropod surveillance, and pest management. If you are requesting a 'mystery bug' identification, PLEASE either attach an image to your question, or post an image on a web page (such as Flickr) so that I can look at it, as verbal descriptions frequently are insufficient for a definitive identification.

Experience

21 years in the U.S. Army as a medical entomologist; duties varied from surveillance of pest populations (including mosquitoes, cockroaches, ticks, and stored products pests) to conducting research on mosquito-virus ecological relationships and mosquito faunal studies. Ten years as a civilian analyst for the Department of Defense, primarily on distribution of vector-borne diseases worldwide. Limited experience on surveillance of agricultural insects in North Dakota and Indiana.

Organizations
Entomological Society of America, West Virginia Entomological Society, Society for Vector Ecology, National Speleological Society, West Virginia Association for Cave Studies.

Publications
American Journal of Public Health, Contributions of the American Entomological Institute, Japanese Journal of Sanitary Zoology, Journal of Economic Entomology, Mosquito News, and Mosquito Systematics.

Education/Credentials
B.S. in entomology from North Dakota State University in 1963, M.S. in entomology from Purdue University in 1967.

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