#18 Common Long Black Bugs You May Find In Your Home
Have you noticed some long black bugs crawling around your home lately? While encountering an insect inside can be unsettling, most long black bugs are harmless and can be dealt with easily. Learning to identify these common household pests can help put your mind at ease.
Here are 18 of the most common long black bugs you may come across indoors and how to get rid of them
Earwigs
Earwigs are long black bugs with distinctive pincers on their abdomen. They feed on plants and prefer damp, dark places. To get rid of earwigs, seal cracks and crevices where they can enter, clean up debris, and use traps.
Silverfish
Silverfish are wingless, fish-shaped insects that feed on starchy materials. They like bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and other humid places. To control silverfish, fix leaks, eliminate clutter, and use desiccant dusts in cracks and crevices.
Centipedes
House centipedes are fast-moving bugs with long, flattened bodies and many legs. They eat other insects and like basements and bathrooms. Reduce moisture, seal cracks, tidy clutter, and use sticky traps to catch them.
Millipedes
Millipedes are slower, cylindrical bugs with many legs. They feed on decaying plant matter and prefer damp areas. Dry out their habitats, clean up leaves and mulch outside, and apply insecticides as a last resort.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are notoriously resilient household pests. They will eat just about anything and reproduce quickly. Clean thoroughly, fix leaky pipes, and use baits and traps to control roaches.
Click Beetles
Click beetles are oval-shaped beetles named for their ability to flip themselves upright with an audible click. They are occasional invaders that can fly in through open doors and windows at night. Turn off porch lights or use yellow bulbs.
Cricket
Crickets are hopping insects that produce chirping songs. They enter homes through cracks and like damp, dark places. Caulk cracks, install door sweeps, and use sticky traps to reduce crickets.
Earwig
Earwigs are long, flattened insects with distinctive pinchers on their abdomen. They feed on plants and can bite. Keep them out by sealing cracks, cleaning up piles of debris, and using traps.
Longhorn Beetles
Longhorn beetles are large beetles with very long antennae. They bore into wood but rarely damage homes. Knock down adults entering the house and treat infested wood.
Pillbugs
Pillbugs are small gray crustaceans with armored segmented bodies that can roll into a ball. They feed on decaying matter and come indoors in damp weather. Reduce moisture and tidiness to discourage them.
Rove Beetles
Rove beetles are ground beetles with small wings and long bodies. They prey on other insects and enter homes through cracks. Caulk openings, clean up clutter, and vacuum to remove them.
Sowbugs
Sowbugs are gray crustaceans related to pillbugs. They prefer damp, dark environments. Fix moisture issues, clean up debris, and apply insecticides to affected areas to get rid of sowbugs.
Spiders
Some spiders have long black bodies and legs. Common house spiders like cellar spiders eat other bugs and aren’t dangerous. Simply sweep away webs and vacuum to remove them.
Springtails
Springtails are tiny insects that jump using a tail-like structure. They feed on mold and thrive in damp areas. Fix moisture problems and clean with disinfectants to eliminate springtails.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs are shield-shaped bugs that release an unpleasant odor when disturbed. They occasionally enter homes but don’t reproduce indoors. Simply vacuum or sweep them up.
Termites
Termites are eusocial insects that live in colonies and feed on wood. Call a professional immediately if you suspect termites inside your home.
Water Bugs
Water bugs are heavy-bodied insects that may enter homes by accident. They can bite but aren’t dangerous. Simply sweep them up and dispose of them.
The next time you spot a long black bug around your home, take a closer look to identify it before taking action. Most household bugs can be managed with some diligent cleaning, sealing, and trapping. But if you suspect a termite infestation or have an excessive number of other pests, it may be time to contact a professional exterminator.
Small, elongated insects with appendages that look like pincers are earwigs.
Earwigs are not the only variety of black bug with pincers out there, but if the bug also has a reddish-brown tint and long antennae, it is most likely an earwig. Most of the time earwigs prefer a garden habitat, as they feed on decaying matter and small insects. However, harsh weather can drive them indoors, or they may be attracted to damp conditions in a kitchen or bathroom. Sometimes they are brought inside unwittingly on firewood or packages that have been sitting outside.
Even when earwigs make their way inside, they are nocturnal and aren’t typically seen during the day. Although they are sometimes referred to as “pincher bugs,” earwigs are actually harmless, and their large pincers are not powerful enough to hurt a human. That being said, most people prefer not to find them in their bathtubs or under their kitchen sinks. One way to keep earwigs from coming inside is to get rid of anything attracting them to the yard. Earwigs are drawn to rotting material, so it’s wise to keep firewood piles at a significant distance from the house and check any logs thoroughly before bringing them indoors. To further lessen the yard’s appeal to earwigs, residents can clean up any piles of leaves or other debris as well. For earwigs that are already indoors, it’s helpful to set traps or use a broom or vacuum to sweep up the insects whenever they make an appearance.
Q. What are the long black bugs with pincers?
Those bugs are probably earwigs—an earwig is a long black insect with what looks like pincers. An earwig’s “pincers” are located at the back of its body, so a black bug with pincers on its head is not an earwig.
What insects zoomed in looks like #shorts
FAQ
What are the long black bugs in my house?
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These are typically found in the southern U.S., are about 9 millimeters long, have antennae and six legs, and are generally harmless.
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These are long, black bugs with many tiny legs that curl into a tight ball when threatened.
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These are small, black, hard-shelled beetles that feed on animal products, fibers, and even grains and spices.
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These beetles can enter homes through infested wood or through open windows, doors, cracks, and crevices.
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These beetles are attracted to food pantries and cured meats and can feed on dead insects, animals, or birds trapped in voids or attics.
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These bugs are black and orange, and while they are nuisance pests, they don’t typically intend to bite humans, but their mouths can irritate skin.
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These insects are long, slender, and have pincers on their tail.
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These insects are long, slender, and have a silvery appearance.
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Many homeowners have the misconception that termites are invisible, but they are long and slender.
Why is there a longhorn beetle in my house?
Long-horned beetles typically attack unseasoned wood, logs, and lumber. These pests often enter homes through wood that is already infested with the larvae or when the adults find their way in through open windows, doors, cracks, and crevices.
What are the long, skinny bugs?
- Millipedes. Did the insect you saw seem to have a million tiny, little legs? …
- Termites. Many homeowners have the misconception that termites are invisible. …
- Earwigs. …
- Silverfish.
What is the fastest way to get rid of boxelder bugs?
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Vacuum:Use a vacuum to remove boxelder bugs from inside your home, being careful not to crush them, as this can release a foul odor.
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Seal Entry Points:Boxelder bugs enter homes through cracks and gaps. Seal any openings around windows, doors, pipes, and vents with caulk, weatherstripping, or screens.
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Soapy Water Spray:Mix a tablespoon of dish soap with water in a spray bottle and spray the bugs directly. The soap disrupts their outer shell, leading to dehydration and death.
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Remove Fallen Seeds:Boxelder bugs are attracted to boxelder trees, especially their seeds. Regularly remove fallen seeds to deter them.
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Trim or Remove Boxelder Trees:If possible, consider trimming or removing boxelder trees near your home, as they are a primary source of attraction for these bugs.
What is the long skinny black bug in house?
If you’re dealing with a long skinny black bug in your house, it could be one of several types. Common invaders include earwigs, silverfish, firebrats, click beetles, and weevils. It’s important to identify the bug before taking any action.
What is the size of the black bug?
Below is a list of black bugs found in homes with their characteristics for easy identification: It is a small black bug that measures about 3-4mm long. The dark coloration allows the bug to camouflage the plant leaves in your garden.
Are long skinny black bugs a pest?
Long skinny black bugs in house can be a common sight, but not all of them are the same. While some of these insects can be considered pests that can harm your home and garden, others are beneficial insects that can help control pests and nurture the environment.
What is the most dangerous black bug in the house?
The most dangerous black bug in the house is the black widow spider. These black bugs have a distinctive red hourglass marking on their bulbous black abdomen and can grow up to 1cm long. A poisonous bite from a black widow spider can cause painful swelling that leads to joint aching, spasms, and muscle cramps.
What are some common black bugs?
One of the most common black bugs you might find in your home is carpet beetles. However, many other kinds of adult beetles, bed bugs, aphids, fleas, ants, spiders, and centipedes also have black bodies. They can infest kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms.
What does a black bug in a house look like?
The most common black bug in the house, also known as the straw-mattress beetle, has a large and glossy rounded body with an orange to red head, legs, and antennae. This velvety small beetle can grow up to 1.5-3.5mm long. These black spider beetles dwell in damp environments and can infest wall cavities, attics, and pantry cupboards.