kitchens Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Morning All Has anyone had experience with tiny black bugs that live in straw. We have had some straw stored in our shed for a couple of months that we use in the chicken run. Trouble is it's now full of these tiny little black bugs THAT BITE Anyone got a clue what they might be. They are definately not fleas but look like a thuderbug but about 3 times the size. Not sure if I have posted in the right place. Thanks guys I know you will be able to help me work this one out! Just need to get rid of this straw now because every time we go anywhere near it WE GET BITTEN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Could they be fleas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Sounds like fleas to me too. It's not a good idea to use straw in a chicken run or housing it gets mouldy and breeds spores, plus chooks often eat it and get impacted crop I'd bung it on the compost! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchens Posted April 21, 2009 Author Share Posted April 21, 2009 Hi there. They are definately not fleas because they don't jump or and are too big. Nasty little critters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Sound gross not an expert but would put on compost heap. Wouldnt fancy thm in my bed if I were a chuck - I'd chuck em out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephyblue Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Hi there, could you give a better description, how big in mm and how many legs. They sound gross, maybe you should get rid of all the straw? Sorry - not much help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchens Posted April 21, 2009 Author Share Posted April 21, 2009 Yes am going to get rid of the straw as soon as possible (there is a fair bit to get rid of as the run is quite large). Checked the chooks and they are completely clean and no sign of them being bothered by them (they probably eat them)! They are about 3-4mm in size, slightly shiny. They are black, don't jump and seem to have an amour (slightly shiny) type skin as they are very resiliant to being squashed!! And boy they do like to bite! I look like i've been fruit picking!! They are completely visible to the human eye I suppose they are about the size of a greenfly (without the wings!) I've been googling today and found a website that is full of pictures of mites and although I did not find a picture of this critter there are literally 1000's of species of mites - there is basically a mite that can infect every living thing. God i'm itchy!! Will keep looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 yep may have got a bit damp or something has made a nice home in it..should be clean and dry bin it indie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
