As a homeowner, finding small brown bugs crawling around your house can be alarming While some brown insects are harmless, others can cause damage or spread disease. Identifying these tiny pests is the first step toward controlling an infestation. This article will examine the most common small brown bugs found indoors and provide tips for getting rid of them
What Are Small Brown Bugs?
Small brown bugs encompass a variety of insect species and arachnids. They range in size from microscopic to about half an inch long. Some of the most common small brown bugs found in homes include:
- Beetles
- Cockroaches
- Fleas
- Bed bugs
- Spiders
- Ants
- Flies
- Moths
- Ticks
Many people refer to any tiny crawling or flying pest as a bug. However, true bugs belong to the insect order Hemiptera and have tube-like mouths to suck juices from plants or animals. Other small brown pests are not scientifically classified as bugs.
Identifying Small Brown Bugs
It’s important to correctly identify small brown bugs before trying to get rid of them. Look closely at the number of legs body shape and behaviors to determine what type of insect or arachnid you are dealing with.
Beetles – Hard wing covers six legs. elongated or rounded shell-like bodies
Cockroaches – Oval flattened bodies, long antennae, run fast
Fleas – Microscopic, jump, bite animals and humans
Bed bugs – Flat, apple seed-sized, hide in beds and furniture
Spiders – Eight legs, varied body shapes depending on species
Ants – Three body segments, six legs, erratic movements
Flies – Two wings, hover around trash and decaying matter
Moths – Furry bodies, attracted to lights and natural fabrics
Ticks – Oval, eight legs, burrow into skin for blood meals
Pay attention to where you find the bugs and telltale signs like bites, small blood stains, or skin irritation to aid identification. Capturing a specimen in clear packing tape can help examine details.
Common Small Brown Household Bugs
Let’s look at some of the most prevalent small brown bugs found inside homes and how to control them.
Drugstore Beetles
These tiny brown beetles measuring about 2-4 mm long infest stored food products. Look for them in pantries and cupboards, especially in opened packages and bags. They also eat wool, leather, hair, and natural fibers.
Control – Discard infested food packages. Store dried goods in airtight containers. Clean pantries thoroughly.
Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetle larvae feed on materials like wool, silk, leather, fur, and other natural fabrics. They leave tiny holes and can damage carpets, clothing, and upholstery.
Control – Vacuum frequently to remove larvae. Have infested carpets or textiles professionally cleaned.
Bed Bugs
These blood-sucking parasites hide in bedding and bite at night. Look for small red stains on sheets and tiny black fecal spots.
Control – Disinfect or dispose of mattresses and bedding. Use professional heat or chemical control methods.
Fleas
Fleas live on pets but can infest homes. Their bites cause small itchy red bumps on skin.
Control – Treat pets with flea control products. Vacuum and wash bedding. Use sprays or foggers to kill adult fleas.
Ants
Some ant species like sugar while others prefer proteins or fats. Look for them near food sources or crawling along walls.
Control – Seal cracks and openings where ants enter. Use baits or spray insecticides.
Fruit Flies
These nuisance flies are attracted to ripe or rotting fruit and vegetables. They hover around trash cans and compost piles.
Control – Properly store produce. Take trash out frequently. Make vinegar traps.
Clothes Moths
Clothes moth larvae eat natural fibers and leave silk attachments on fabrics. Adults are attracted to lights.
Control – Clean closets and dressers thoroughly. Have wool clothing professionally cleaned.
Spider Beetles
Spider beetles infest dried foods, pet food, and cereals in pantries. They have small oval brown bodies with long spindly legs.
Control – Discard infested packages. Clean shelves and storage areas. Use airtight containers.
Drain Flies
These flies breed in moist organic buildup in drains and pipes. They look similar to fruit flies.
Control – Clean pipes and drains to remove gunk and biofilms. Use boiling water or chemical drain cleaners.
Preventing Small Brown Bug Infestations
While many types of tiny brown bugs enter homes by accident, you can take some steps to avoid introductions:
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Carefully inspect any used furniture, especially beds and upholstered items.
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Wash and dry clothes on the highest heat setting after trips before putting them away.
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Store dried goods like flour, rice, pasta, etc. in airtight containers.
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Inspect packages and discard any infested food items.
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Vacuum and clean rooms frequently.
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Eliminate moisture issues like leaks that allow pests to thrive.
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Use screens on windows and seal openings.
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Keep trash areas clean and take garbage out regularly.
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Inspect pets and treat for any fleas or ticks.
Catching infestations early makes controlling small brown bugs much easier. Identifying the species correctly allows you to implement targeted, effective control methods. With vigilance and proper identification, you can keep these creepy crawlers at bay.
Weevils are a pantry pest that will feed on grains like flour and rice.
Often called flour bugs, weevils measure only ⅛ to ¼ inch long. “This small, dark brown to black beetle has a very noticeable ‘snout,’” says Harris.
Female weevils will chew a hole inside a grain of rice or seed, lay an egg, and seal up the opening. The larvae will then feed off the kernel until it is fully grown. According to Harris, “Weevils are stored-product pests and can infest any whole-kernel product, such as rice, corn, or sometimes even legumes like beans and lentils.” If they’re not controlled, weevils can grow an entire population.
“One effective method for controlling these insects is to freeze these products before storage for at least 3 to 4 days,” Harris advises. “If an infestation is already present, unfortunately, it is best to discard the infested items. Implementing proper storage practices, such as using airtight containers, regular cleaning, and frequent inspections, plays a significant role in preventing infestations.”
Spider beetles have a similar appearance to a bed bug that has recently fed on blood.
Spider beetles are unusual-looking tiny beetles in the house with very round, large, shiny bodies that are red to dark brown or black. Their legs and long, segmented antennae are amber or yellow in color. These bugs are very small and typically reach only 3½ millimeters in length.
While bed bugs have dull, flat bodies that resemble an apple seed, after a blood feeding they may swell up and take on a reddish hue. In this state, they may have an appearance similar to spider beetles. One way to tell these pests apart is to consider the location where they have been found. Bed bugs prefer to burrow in furniture, mattresses, and carpets where they can easily access people or pets for feedings. Spider beetles do not feed on blood and instead are often found in pantries where they will eat most kinds of grain and dry foods. Find trusted local pros for any home project
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FAQ
What are these little tiny brown bugs?
- Aphids: Small, soft-bodied insects that can be green, black, or brown.
- Spider Mites: Very small, often red or green.
- Fleas: Tiny, brown, and jumpy insects that infest pets and homes.
- Gnats: Small flying insects, often found near plants or in damp areas.
- Fruit Flies: Small, tan or brown flies often found aroun
What can be mistaken for bed bugs?
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Fleas are small, reddish-brown, and oval-shaped, similar to bed bugs, but they are smaller and can jump.
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Carpet beetle larvae can resemble bed bugs, but they lack the reddish-brown color and feed on fabrics, not blood.
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Spider beetles are small, brown insects that are sometimes mistaken for bed bugs, but they have a humpbacked appearance and long, spindly legs.
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Booklice are small, wingless insects that are often found in damp areas and feed on mold, not blood.
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Baby cockroaches, or cockroach nymphs, are the immature stage of cockroaches and can be mistaken for bed bugs due to their similar size and appearance.
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Ticks can range in color, but most are brown and can be mistaken for bed bugs, especially when they are engorged with blood.
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Bat bugs are closely related to bed bugs and can be difficult to distinguish from them, especially to the naked eye.
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Swallow bugs are small and similar in appearance to bed bugs, but they feed on birds, not humans.
What are the brown mites in my house?
Clover mites are very small in size, measuring only 0.03 inch long. They are red-brown in color and adults have eight legs with their front pair much longer than the rest.
What are the little brown gnat bugs?
If you notice tiny brown insects flying around your house plants, it’s very likely that these pests are fungus gnats. Because of their long, spindly legs and brownish-white bodies, these pests are often confused with mosquitoes, though fungus gnats do not bite according to Cornell.
What is a tiny brown bug?
A “tiny brown bug” is an umbrella term for a couple of insects that might be living between your walls. There are three common types of tiny brown bugs: the silverfish, the beetle, and the tick. Each one has their own habits, food preference, and behavior. Also known as the librarian’s enemy, the silverfish thrives in dark, humid places.
What are some common tiny brown bugs found in homes?
The most common types of brown bugs that invade homes are drugstore beetles, silverfish, weevils, cockroaches, ticks, bed bugs, bat bugs, fleas, and stink bugs. If you have tiny brown bugs in your home, identify them based on their appearance and location.
Are brown bugs a nuisance pest?
Many small brown bugs in homes have no real impact as nuisance pests. Others carry and transmit diseases. Correct species identification is the first step toward eliminating these bugs from the house or the premises. Here are the most common types of small brown bugs that live in homes or next to homes. 1. Brown House Moths
Which tiny brown bugs are harmful?
While many tiny brown bugs are completely harmless, some are not. Drugstore beetles, carpet beetles, spider beetles, silverfish, firebrats, weevils, pantry moths, cockroaches, ticks, fruit flies, ants, and mites are some of the most common tiny brown household bugs.
How can I identify brown bugs in my house?
To identify brown bugs in your house, consider their size and shape. Some common brown bugs, like carpet beetles, are tiny and oval, while others, like cockroaches, are bigger and elongated. Keep in mind that some brown bugs may appear differently depending on their stage of development.
What do small brown bugs look like?
Small Brown Bug Identification: Weevils have a long black or brown body and an identifiable long snout. Ticks, which are disease-carrying brown bugs, have an oval or pear-shaped brown or reddish-brown body. Adult ticks are identified by their four pairs of legs and tiny brown bodies measuring 0.1” (0.3 mm) long.