I have had a lot of small flies or mittens in the house for some time now. They appear to have wings but cannot fly. They are about 5mm long. They seem to like moisture and are mainly on damp washcloths and towels. Especially in the bathroom but also in the bedrooms on the first floor.
Answer
Dear Marc,
this is a bug, and more specifically Metopoplax ditomoides (family Lygaeidae). Bugs have stinging-sucking mouthparts that puncture plant cells to feed. This bug species lives on seeds of chamomile species in field margins and ruderal areas.
The bug overwinters as an adult in the leaf litter or under loose bark, possibly also in the house.
These bugs in themselves do not cause any damage in the home, nor do they bother the residents. It is a temporary phenomenon in the spring; the bugs come out of their “hibernation”, and then fly around in nature to mate (mating takes place in May and June). A chemical control is therefore not necessary. Optionally, the vacuum cleaner can be used.
kind regards,
Hans
Answered by
Hans Casteels
identification of pest insects in agriculture and horticulture, stock goods and homes
Burg. van Gansberghelaan 96 box 1 9820 Merelbeke
http://www.ilvo.vlaanderen.be
.