Knowledgebase

What are these bugs? #870165

Asked May 26, 2024, 2:49 PM EDT

Hi, we have an accumulation of tiny bugs on our indoor stairwell window sills. There are two sets of stairs (to 2nd floor and to basement) that have windows at the landing between the two segments of stairs. These bugs are only in these window sills, not in any other sills in our single family home. No carpet or runner on stairs. A video I took shows one of them jumping. I used bleach to clean the sill and had 16 more bugs on one sill within a day. My cat and dog have been to the vet recently--no fleas (ever). Please help! Thank you!

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

Hi, 

They are so small that it is difficult for us to see them clearly. They look like a type of small beetle but it is hard to say which. 

It sounds like it isn't a carpet beetle. They could be a small wood boring beetle. Do you have any untreated wood in your house? Driftwood, barnwood etc? 

They don't look like bedbugs and not a likely place for them. 

They could just be coming from something outside. Maybe due to the rainy spring we have had.  You can seal any gaps or cracks along the windowsills to help reduce their places for entry. 

It doesn't appear to be anything that would be harmful to you or your home other than being a nuisance. 

Just keep vacuuming or cleaning them up and their population should stop eventually. If it seems like they just aren't going away, feel free to contact us again. 

Emily

Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 28, 2024, 2:51 PM EDT
Thank you so much!  No untreated wood.  Will follow up if needed.

On May 28, 2024, at 2:51 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

The Question Asker Replied May 29, 2024, 3:50 PM EDT
You're welcome.
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 30, 2024, 10:37 AM EDT

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