Phillip writes
The very first thing you should do, before any more insecticides are applied, is try to get a proper identification. Getting a sample of an insect that is so small you really cannot see it can be difficult. Try laying some clear packing tape sticky side up near areas where you notice a lot of activity. On table tops you could using a soft paint brush and sweep the insects onto the tape. If you feel activity on your skin, very gently lay the tape on the area and lift. Mites can usually be caught this way. Try to view the tape using a magnifying glass. If an insect is noticed on the tape you should contact your local cooperative extension office and request an insect identification from one of the entomologists on staff. There have been many instances where a customer was sure they had "mites" when in fact they had bedbugs, noseeums, or biting gnats. The treatment processes for these other insects is very different than the treatment process you would need to use for mites.
Answer last updated on: 10/01/2025
