Some type of mite in pantry?

Request help to identify insects or other creatures. Please post the location that the insect you want to identify came from, this will help greatly in species determination.
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sonnaps
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Some type of mite in pantry?

Post by sonnaps »

We noticed these tiny specs of dust that looked like they were moving in some plastic storage bins that have cans of soup in. You wouldn't even have thought they were some type of bugs except that they were moving. You cannot make out a body shape with the naked eye, that's how small they are. I only realized they were bugs under the magnification of my camera. They don't seem to move much and don't even seem to be eating anything. We windexed, lysoled, etc. the bins two days ago and they seem to have come back. They only seem to be in the plasic bins, then again they are really small it's hard to be sure.

Any idea what these are? and what to do to get rid of them for good?
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livingplanet3
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Re: Some type of mite in pantry?

Post by livingplanet3 »

They're insects of the order Psocoptera (psocids). They're commonly called barklice or booklice (although, they're not actual "lice", and do not bite).
Some species have wings, and others don't. They like warm, humid environments and feed on things like mold and mildew, and sometimes get into dried foods such as grain or flour. They'll also chew on cardboard and other paper-based materials, especially if they become water-damaged -

https://extension.umn.edu/product-and-h ... ts/psocids
Last edited by livingplanet3 on Sat Jun 24, 2023 8:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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sonnaps
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Re: Some type of mite in pantry?

Post by sonnaps »

Thanks so much for the info, it's definitely a bit of a relief.
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adamcotton
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Re: Some type of mite in pantry?

Post by adamcotton »

If they are in containers of dried food, or similar you can kill them by freezing the containers (in an airtight container or bag to avoid condensation when you remove them from the freezer) for at least 72 hours, removing them from the freezer for a week to 10 days and then freezing them again for another 72 hours.

The reason for a double treatment is because freezing kills adults and young Psocids but does not kill eggs, which hatch in a week after being laid. The second freezing will kill the freshly hatched 'babies'.

Before opening the container/bag after removal from the freezer you should leave it sealed for 24 hours so that it returns to room temperature, otherwise condensation will form on the items that were frozen.

Adam.
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