Re: minute biting bug

Posted by carolyn gibbs on July 07, 2006 at 21:36:13:

In Reply to: Re: minute biting bug posted by M. Eichner on June 27, 2006 at 00:14:14:

: I live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and was looking on the web because of the very same problem. For the last few weeks, I have been getting bit by some very small flying bug while working at the computer in my study. It's so small I can just barely see the light reflected off of it as it passes the computer, and haven't been able to catch one or kill one (or if I have, they've been so small I can't tell). It's interesting that this might be a thrip, because I've been bringing in roses from my garden, and thrips are a problem at this time of year. Please let me know if you figure out a way to get rid of them. I'll call the exterminator to find out if they have any advice, and, I guess, stop bringing the roses in.

: : User Name: Alicia Noble

: : Thrips?: Problems with biting insect

: : I live in Miami, Florida. I have an infestation of some kind of minute (actually, invisible to the naked eye in most stages) biting bug in one room of my home. The problem has persisted for a number of years, becoming gradually worst. It is most prevalent when I am working on the computer in that room. Sometimes a very small fast flying bug is present and visible when near the computer monitor.

: : The bug causes a number of sensations; ranging from a crawly feeling, to a popping/jumping feeling, to a small flea bite. The bites sometime cause a prickly itch, but do not leave a rash.

: : I initially suspected a mite problem but was unable to confirm this with samples or account for the flying bug, since mites don?t fly. I trapped one of the flying bugs and it appears to be a kind of "thrip". It is very close in appearance to the biting midge (no-see-um) but the wings are sparer and the body longer.

: : I have read that thrips are a plant parasite but can sometimes bite people and pets. I also found that there are a number of life stages that would attribute for the different skin sensations. How, long can thrips survive/breed indoors without live plants. There are plants outside the window (very near the house) of the room where the problem began and is most persistent.

: : What would be the best way to verify the problem and treat the indoor and outdoor areas, if applicable to eliminate the problem? Your assistance would be greatly appreciated; this problem is causing me an increasing amount of distress.

I live in Belhaven North Carolina, and I have experienced the same thing while using the computer or watching television...it got so bad I thought perhaps if I turn the lights off while watching tv, I wouldnt get bit...but it didnt help any at all. I saw this very small black insect with wings crawling across the screen, I got him...but the problem continues and is getting worse..all over the house, I cant sleep at night, have to cover up...they have a bite that is like a sting, leaves no bumps...a bad sting for a small insect...what is this ? and how can I get rid of them ? pleeeeezee

Follow Ups:

• Re: minute biting bug Alicia Noble 04:35:09 8/02/2006 (0)
• Re: minute biting bug carolyn Gibbs 20:26:11 7/25/2006 (1)