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Tiny black/brownish insects appearing in NYC apartment. #218796

Asked October 29, 2014, 4:23 PM EDT

Hello. I live in an NYC apartment for a few years. Last few days I have started to see these tiny 1-2mm long insects that I have seen all over.... bathroom door, kitchen counter, pantry cupboards, living room walls. They walk slowly on the ground and on the walls and either fly (I was sitting on my sofa last night and one landed on my shirt!) or maybe they were walking on the ceiling and fell. I don't see too many but I feel I am seeing more everyday. From my own research they look like carpet beetles or drugstore beetle or wheat weevil... i think.

The only difference I can see is a couple weeks ago I rolled out my 8'x8' shaggy rug that was rolled and tied by ropes in my closet for over a year. Other than that no other changes in my apartment. Can anyone please help me figure out the case and how to fix?! Was it the rug? (dont see how.. it was dry cleaned and wrapped for a year in my apartment closet). Other apartments in the building? Food (my eating habit unchanged).

Thanks for any help. (3 zoomed pictures attached)

New York County New York

Expert Response

They could be cigarette beetles or drugstore beetles.  Both feed on dried goods.  You might want to check your cupboards and the dried foods you keep in open containers such as cereals.
If your neighbors have treated for pests recently, these could have moved in from other locations.
If you can collect samples and take them to you local extension office, they should have someone who might identify them.
Ed Replied October 30, 2014, 3:59 PM EDT

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