What are the tiny bugs around my windows?

I've noticed small bugs on my window. What are they, and should I be worried?

Those small beetles in your house are most likely carpet beetles. They're round, and often patterned with brown, white, and yellow markings, though some species are solid black. Adults typically measure between 1/16 and 1/8 of an inch long, which makes them easy to overlook until you spot a cluster near the glass.

Carpet beetles are easily drawn to light, which is why windows are a common gathering spot. They fly in from outdoors, often hitching a ride on cut flowers or drifting in through gaps in screens.

Could it be something else?

Carpet beetles are the most common culprit, but here are a few other “window bugs”:

• Clover mites are tiny reddish specks, smaller than a pinhead. They leave a red smear if crushed and are harmless, but can appear in large numbers
• Booklice (psocids) are pale, translucent, and tend to gather in damp spots near windows
• Springtails are dark, jumping specks often linked to moisture problems near windows or houseplants.

If you’re unsure of the pest, get in touch with our pest control experts.  We can help identify and manage your problem.