Ew ew ew ew ew ew ew
June 25, 2013 9:19 PM Subscribe
What is this bug that I just found on my shoulder while laying in my bed? It's a little squished, because I slapped it when I felt it on me. It's just under half an inch long.
Please tell me it's not a louse. I may never sleep again. I'm probably already putting my sheets in the freezer. (I have a toddler in daycare, so it could easily be lice. I haven't found nits in my hair, and I would check his, but he's asleep.)
But if it IS a louse, what kind? And now what?
Please tell me it's not a louse. I may never sleep again. I'm probably already putting my sheets in the freezer. (I have a toddler in daycare, so it could easily be lice. I haven't found nits in my hair, and I would check his, but he's asleep.)
But if it IS a louse, what kind? And now what?
Lice are much, much smaller. Same for bedbugs. Not sure what this is, but I'm pretty sure it's a one-off. Maybe an earwig? The size is right, but it's hard to tell.
posted by catatethebird at 9:28 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by catatethebird at 9:28 PM on June 25, 2013
Best answer: Haha yeah that's not a louse. I don't know what it is, and it sure looks unpleasant, and I feel for you, but it's not a louse and it's not a bedbug.
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:34 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by fingersandtoes at 9:34 PM on June 25, 2013
I think it is a silverfish. Nothing to worry about.
posted by DanielDManiel at 9:45 PM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by DanielDManiel at 9:45 PM on June 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
Looks like a silverfish. Annoying but harmless.
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 9:53 PM on June 25, 2013
posted by Chaussette and the Pussy Cats at 9:53 PM on June 25, 2013
I think it's a silverfish, too. We have had them in our apartment. They're harmless, but nonetheless, they creep me out. They like humidity, so the best thing you can do is deal with any dampness or humidity in your home.
We had been using a shower curtain without a liner, so the cotton curtain got wet every time we showered. So, I replaced the shower curtain (which, not surprisingly was mildew-stained) with a new curtain and liner. I also set up a place to hang the bathmat after showering. At first, I also got in the habit of leaving the bathroom window open after showering, but after a couple weeks I stopped doing that, and it seems ok.
Anyway, just doing those things seems to have taken care of the silverfish. I had seen them in several different rooms in the apartment, but the bathroom was the only room that was ever damp or humid. Since we dried out the bathroom, I haven't seen any more bugs.
You can also try spraying/wiping your walls with bleach.
posted by pompelmo at 10:44 PM on June 25, 2013
We had been using a shower curtain without a liner, so the cotton curtain got wet every time we showered. So, I replaced the shower curtain (which, not surprisingly was mildew-stained) with a new curtain and liner. I also set up a place to hang the bathmat after showering. At first, I also got in the habit of leaving the bathroom window open after showering, but after a couple weeks I stopped doing that, and it seems ok.
Anyway, just doing those things seems to have taken care of the silverfish. I had seen them in several different rooms in the apartment, but the bathroom was the only room that was ever damp or humid. Since we dried out the bathroom, I haven't seen any more bugs.
You can also try spraying/wiping your walls with bleach.
posted by pompelmo at 10:44 PM on June 25, 2013
Best answer: Harmless? Silverfish EAT BOOKS. That makes them the worst bug in existence!
That said... while of secondary importance it is true they do not bother humans.
posted by Justinian at 12:08 AM on June 26, 2013 [7 favorites]
That said... while of secondary importance it is true they do not bother humans.
posted by Justinian at 12:08 AM on June 26, 2013 [7 favorites]
Silverfish, as others have said, or the similar Firebrat. One or two of either aren't a problem, but it's probably worth doing a proper Spring Clean to hoover out any eggs or larger populations under furniture & in unlikely corners; I'd also empty the kitchen cupboards and move around any stored food (inc. pet food and supplies) to make sure it's not a bigger problem. Otherwise, tackling any humidity issues and basic hygiene should prevent 'em ever becoming any sort of nuisance.
(personally, I think silverfish are beautiful but YMMV! Earwigs on the other hand...)
posted by AFII at 12:44 AM on June 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
(personally, I think silverfish are beautiful but YMMV! Earwigs on the other hand...)
posted by AFII at 12:44 AM on June 26, 2013 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
At half an inch long that would be the Godzilla of head lice.
posted by Sternmeyer at 9:27 PM on June 25, 2013