Small brown worms in the apartment: what to do

Have you found small brown worms in your apartment? These are the larvae of various species. You can find out how to get rid of them in this guide.

Collect larvae

One of the best ways to gently get rid of small brown worms of any kind in your home is to collect them. You don't have to kill them. Just put on gloves and collect the larvae. You can also use a dustpan for this. Then the worms are simply brought to a meadow or into the forest. They are a food source for all kinds of animals such as birds and mice, and some of them help decompose carcasses or vegetable waste. You should also collect and release the adults. In the following sections, you will learn about suitable control measures for the worms that are most common in the home.

Fight bacon beetle larvae

Small brown worms the Bacon beetle (Dermestidae) are among the most dangerous pests inside buildings and homes. They are easy to recognize by the following features:

• colored light brown
• 5 to 15 mm long
• fuller middle
• completely covered with arrow hair
• fast

The larvae of the bacon beetles should not be underestimated due to their feeding behavior. Their food sources include the following, which makes them common in kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces:

• hair
• Dander
• Carrion
• Animal feed
• Dried fish
• meat
• cheese
• dead insects

Be sure to dispose of contaminated food. Newly acquired ones are carefully packed so that the beetles do not settle. You should also carefully remove and release the larvae. After that, you should pay attention to the following points in order to remove the eggs, pupae and feces of the insects and to prevent reintroduction:

• Living spaces suck
• Don't forget corners and crevices
• Vacuum cupboards as well
• Mop the floors
• Thoroughly wipe the cupboards (e. B. with vinegar cleaner)
• Wash infected textiles (min. 60 ° C)
• Close entrances (e.g. B. Joints, baseboards, fine wall cracks)

Tip: Use predators such as parasitic wasps (Trichogramma evanescens) or camp pirates (Xylocoris flavipes) to combat.

Classic: mealworms

Mealworms. As small brown worms, they are a common sight in homes. As the name suggests, the meal beetle larvae (Tenebrio molitor) can be found in flour and other dry foods. The typical causes of mealworm colonization are as follows:

• open foods
• are introduced
• get into living rooms via bird nests

Mealworms are not an indication of a dirty apartment. The most common reason is accidental introduction through food. The continuously white to light brown maggots, the individual segments of which are clearly visible, have a body length of 20 to 30 millimeters. An infestation can not only be recognized by the maggots themselves:

• clumped foods
• musty smell
• Food is a thread

Infested food sources are disposed of immediately and the maggots with them. Seal the garbage bag as tightly as possible. Then clean all infected areas, your kitchen and pantry. The following home remedies are particularly suitable for this:

• Vinegar water
• Tea tree oil (diluted)
• Eucalyptus tree oil (diluted)

Repeat the procedure regularly over the next few weeks. Your supplies are sealed airtight to prevent infestation.

Eliminate clothes moth larvae

The larvae of the clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) also present themselves as small brown worms with a maximum length of 10 millimeters. They feed on food sources containing keratin:

• textiles
• Skins
• feathers
• Wool
• hair

For this reason, they are often in closets, bathrooms and other places in your living space. The typical causes of an infestation by the seven to ten millimeter long moth larvae include unwashed and worn laundry that is in rooms with the following properties:

• Temperature: 20 to 24 ° C
• Humidity: min. 75 %

They are particularly attracted to the smell of sweat. This can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• small holes in textiles
• Smooth-edged holes
• Number is steadily increasing

The larvae themselves are not so easy to find because they hide well. You should not leave unwashed textiles lying around for too long to prevent infestation. Dry and cool rooms are also recommended for storing the items of clothing that have been worn. Clean the infested storage areas and then place scented sachets or essential oils nearby that smell of lavender, neem or pine. Wash infested textiles at min. 60 ° C or freeze them as described above.

Butterfly mosquitoes: eliminate larvae

Small brown worms in your own rooms can also come from the butterfly mosquitoes (Psychodidae). If the drains in the kitchen and bathroom or toilet are suddenly populated by dark maggots four millimeters long, it is butterfly mosquitos. In this case, you need to take immediate action against them, as they can transmit diseases:

• collect or vacuum
• suck in adult animals
• Hang up glue traps

You should also clean the drains as well as possible to prevent infestation. The cleaner the drains, the fewer problems you will have with them.

Note: Arum sticks also attract mosquitoes because of their smell.

Fight brass beetle larvae

In addition to bacon beetles, you can find the larvae of the brass beetle (Niptus hololeucus) as small brown worms in your apartment. They are dressed in shades of white to light brown and are most commonly found in older buildings such as half-timbered houses. They get their food mainly from the following sources:

• textiles
• leather
• Skins
• paper
• cardboard
• Insulation materials

Human food, on the other hand, is rarely consumed. For this reason, an infestation is often only noticed late. In this case, you need to hire a professional, since the animals will find even the smallest hiding places. Home remedies do not work against the animals either. To prevent an infestation, rely on the same measures as with the bacon beetles. This prevents infestation. The larvae look similar to those of the bacon beetles, only have a thicker rump.

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