Tiny Grey Bugs In My House – What Are They?

Little grey bugs in your house can be a source of annoyance, and identifying them is the first step to getting rid of them. There are several potential pests, such as silverfish, springtails, or even roly-polies.

This article will tell you:

• What kind of bugs are most commonly found in the home.
• How to identify different types of insect
• Where you will find them
• What can be done about them

What Kind of Tiny Grey Bugs Might Be In My House?

Several tiny grey insects can sneak into a home. Some of them are drawn to food, some to damp conditions or other environments.

Some of the most common little grey insect invaders are the following:

• Silverfish
• Springtails
• Psocids
• Roly-polies
• Grain or Flour Mites

Each species has distinct habitats, behaviors and features to help you identify them.

What Identifying Features Do Silverfish Have?

Silverfish are small and an iridescent grey.

They have a slender body and three small antenna-like tail appendages.

They are less than an inch long as adults and very quick. Silverfish often move with a smooth motion that looks like swimming or slithering.

Exterminators say that silverfish will often leave behind small iridescent scales on surfaces.

Even if you don’t see the insects, these small scales can alert you to an infestation.

Where Do You Find Silverfish?

Silverfish are nocturnal and prefer dark spaces. This is part of the reason that they are often hard to spot.

They like damp environments, such as sinks, bathrooms and drains.

They can also be found in basements and laundry rooms if the ventilation is poor and the humidity is high.

What Attracts These Tiny Grey Bugs?

They like high levels of startch and sugar. Dirty dishes in the sink can be a definite draw for these little bugs.

Other things silverfish eat include:

Glue, Wallpaper, Cloth, Paper, Leather and Hair.

For this reason, people have often mistaken a silverfish infestation for a moth invasion when finding holes in fabric and paper.

What Identifying Features Do Springtails Have?

Springtails are tiny bugs with oval heads, often around a 16th of an inch long.

They can be several colors, including grey or light brown.

They have small fork-shaped appendages on the tail end, which facilitate jumping and give them their name.

Unlike other jumping bugs, such as fleas, they are relatively soft-bodied and easy to catch and squash.

What Locations Would I Find Springtails In?

Springtails are often found in areas with  high level of moisture.

Bathrooms, damp soil, areas with plenty of water, and wet wood are all ideal springtail habitats.

Springtails often enter homes through water pipes, and are found around the sinks and bathrooms.

Springtails are drawn to light, though they can often be found in darker areas. They will often migrate to lights that are left on in darkened rooms

They can also be found in the pots of indoor plants.

Around the outdoors, you are likely to find them near hot tubs or in mulch or areas with wooden floors.

What Attracts Springtails?

Springtails are constantly looking for sources of moisture.

They are most likely to migrate indoors when their outdoor living spaces become over-populated, or if there is a long drought.

They aren’t likely to damage anything in your house, but they are a nuisance, especially if the population levels are high.

What Identifying Features Do Psocids Have?

Psocids are also known as ‘book lice’ or ‘bark lice’. They’re usually a pale grey or yellowish white.

They often resemble bed bugs or termites. They sometimes have wings, but not always.

Psocids are almost microscopically tiny, so you may not see them until you have a large number in-house.

Where Would I Find Psocids?

Psocids are drawn to damp spaces and large amounts of mold.

They can be found in food, books, rugs, and other locations.

Anything that is likely to retain moisture and start to mildew can also be home to Psocids.

Bathrooms and basements with poor ventilation are a likely space to find Psocids.

What Brings Psodcids Into My House?

If you have a mold or mildew problem, psocids can be a prominent sign.

Damp cardboard and moldy food may also attract psocids.

They are more of a pest than a risk, but they can alert you to a serious issue in your home.

Pill Bugs:

Also more commonly known as roly-polies.

Roly-polies are easy to identify with their grey, chitinous shells and their tendency to curl up when startled.

They’re actually crustaceans, with segmented bodies.

They’re one of the most recognizable household pests.

They prefer to be active at night and reside in damp, dark locations.

Where Do I Find Pillbugs in the House?

Pillbugs cannot retain moisture, and so they like damp, dark environments. They are usually found near floors and concrete surfaces when they’re inside.

You’re most likely to find them near doors or sinks. They may also be in basements and storage areas.

If you are transplanting plants, you may accidentally bring pillbugs inside with dirt on shoes or clothes.

They’re less likely to be inside than other pests, due to their preference for damp soil.

They aren’t likely to cause any damage to your house, but if they’re indoors it may be a sign that you need to examine the foundation.

What Attracts Pillbugs Into The House?

Pillbugs are attracted to decomposing vegetation and cool, dark environments.

Aside from areas like sinks, basements, and bathrooms, pillbugs may also be drawn to areas like garbage disposals.

They often find their way into homes through foundation cracks, blocked pipes, gutters and spouts.

They may come inside if there are heavy rains or high levels of competition for outside food sources.

How Can I Identify Grain or Flour Mites?