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Tiny “insect” outdoor and inside #876327

Asked July 08, 2024, 12:17 PM EDT

Tiny black “spots” I first saw outside by doors and then inside. I thought they were seeds. Then I thought they were droppings. I put down a glue board and the specks are on the board. No larger critter, so the specks themselves are the culprits. They show up by baseboards, but I see occasionally on walls and door frame. They are not bothersome but I’d like to know what they are and do I need to rid myself of them. They are more or less the size of coffee grounds.

Carlton County Minnesota

Expert Response

I can't ID your pest, even enlarging the photo as much as I can.  They could be bird mites or barklice or booklice.  But there are several other tiny insects also and these do not seem to be biting you.  https://extension.umn.edu/insect-relatives/bird-mites  Try an insecticide spray around your doors/windows.  You can vacuum them up or wipe them up with a damp rag.  Keep checking for other clues (tiny holes in a screen, an area that seems to be damp, old carpet, etc.).
Barbara, Anoka County MG, TCA Replied July 08, 2024, 9:59 PM EDT

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