Question
splinter shaped bug
Hi,
Last night my daughter had bites all over her midsection after she went to
bed. Today after school she picked off this reddish tiny splinter-shaped bug
from her body. Haven't seen anything else. It's pretty cold still here -
mornings below 32 degrees - and she hasn't been swimming or playing in
the woods or anything. We live in suburban Fairfield Cty, Ct - not far from
NYC so we are pretty much 100% developed and no wildlife around us. I can
send a picture if that helps.
AnswerJune,
I think there are two different things going on here. The splinter-shaped object is probably not responsible for the bites (if they are indeed bites - see below). There are no insects or mites that look like this. You might want to look at it through a magnifying glass or take it to your county Cooperative Extension office where they will have a microscope.
The bites sound like bed bug bites. Take a look at this page http://www.livingwithbugs.com/bed_bug.html for pictures and general information about bed bugs, and ways to search for them. If you find evidence of bed bugs follow the steps outline on that page (and links from that page) for how to get rid of them.
If you can't find any bed bugs I'd begin to suspect that the "bites" are caused by something else. This is very common. Take a look at the page http://www.livingwithbugs.com/unknown_bug_bites.html for a list of known and unknown "bug bites".
Post a follow up question if you have other concerns.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
Extension Entomologist (ret.)
author Living with Bugs: http://www.livingwithbus.com/bug_book.html
