Tiny bugs in the sink (Raleigh, Welcome: apartment, home, buy)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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I just moved in to an apartment in Raleigh today. It's a nice place in a newer building, which is why I was surprised to find several tiny brown bugs in the sink. I washed them down the drain, but more have appeared over the past few hours. There aren't many -- just one or two at a time. There were also a few under the sink.
A friend sprayed some Raid down the drain, but an hour later there's another bug in the sink. He's a NC native and doesn't know what these are. So now I'm stumped and frustrated.
This is the bathroom sink. I haven't seen any in the kitchen sink.
Would anyone know what these are? They're shaped like fleas but smaller than fleas and I haven't seen them jump (yet).
You might have Drain flies, which are fairly common.
Drain Flies [SIZE=2] may become abundant around bathroom or kitchen sinks. Their presence can become annoying enough to make control desirable. Insecticides provide some relief by killing adults. Infestations, however, can be eliminated only by removing the larval food source. The larvae usually breed in sink and bathroom drain traps, in spite of the hot water, soap and other debris that flow through them. Thorough cleaning of drain traps with Bac-A-Zap will remove hair and trapped debris. Also remove standing water in saucers or pans underneath hou[/SIZE][SIZE=2]se plant containers.
I actually did my Master's work on springtails. If you do have them, they aren't dangerous or anything.
If you possibily could get a pic, I could confirm springtails one way or the other.
Oh My God! How great is City Data? I knew there was a wide range of knowledge here, but to get someone who did a Master's thesis on springtails, within an hour of my questions? I'm amazed.
I'll try to get a picture tomorrow. I killed the one that appeared after the Raid, so there aren't any for now. I poured some Tabasco Sauce down the drain, and I have no idea if this will work.
What if my place gets infested with them? This is so disappointing. I really didn't expect this in a building that is supposed to be so nice.
Welcome to NC. You will find that the Carolinas have some of the weirdest bugs you've ever seen. I am a Raleigh native and the bugs here never cease to amaze me. After 37 years, you'd think I would have seen them all, but year after year, I see bugs that I have no idea what they are and can send me screaming to Dh like a little girl. As long as it isn't a dangerous spider, I just have to shrug them off for the most part. I don't know of any really dangerous bugs here except a few spiders, fire ants and wasps. Weird bugs are unfortunately a part of life here. A can of Raid will be your new best friend. I suggest a can in every room so you don't have to take your eyes off them while huntng down your can under the sink or in the laundry room. Once you take your eyes off them, they mutate and multiply.
If you live in an apartment, I'd be down there first thing in the morning talking to the onsite manager. If you lived in a house, I'd say fumigate, but since you're in an apartment, I would not suggest it until you've spoken with someone first.
I'm not sure I know anyone without a pest contract on their home or a can or Raid in the cupboard. It doesn't necessarily have to do with cleanliness, so don't freak out. Just accept the bugs as a part of Southern "charm." Then kill them with your Raid!
And welcome.
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