red bugs

[joann]

Hi, new here, but hope to become involved. So here's today's question. I'm sure we are not the only people with this situation. In the last few days our back yard, deck and one tree have been inundated with a whole lot of little red bugs. they seem to have 6 legs, but could be 8. Size varies from the head of a pin up to the size of a small ant. I've seen these things a number of years ago coming into an apartment we had, but this is the first time I've seen them since we bought this house (19 years). So can anyone tell me from this info what I'm dealing with. I can get a jpeg and post on a.b.p.g if necessary. we are in Indianapolis.

thanks

Joann

[RRR]

Hi Joann - I'm having some bug problems too so I thought I'd be a good Google Group Neighbor and tell you what I found:

On the interne, looks like a common red bug is a Chigger but they are very small. Sometimes you can also have red Chinch Bugs too. Another bug to look at is a Clover Mite too. I would go to google and search these three bugs under the IMAGES section and compare them to your bug.

Also, you can GOOGLE ("red bug" yard) in Google too to see.

Good Luck!

[Amos Nomore]

Just a guess, but box elder bugs often show up in large numbers indoors, and can coexist as multiple instars

[Lar]

They are probably the nymphs of box elder, red-shouldered or maybe even milkweed bugs (actually there are many more possibilities in the true bug family they may be but those are the most common found) If you have not seen them before it might be just a one time occurrence of one of the not so familiar bugs or it may be that what ever host plant is of age now supporting a large population where you are now starting to see evidence of them.

Lar

[Phisherman]

Chiggers are also called "red bugs." They are very small and eat dissolved flesh from animals, including humans. Itch like hell for a few weeks and killed using pork fat (applied for >10 hrs) or over-the counter products. They prefer hot dry grassy areas rather than well-kept lawns/gardens.

[Kay Lancaster]

Could be a lot of things. Suggest you get hold of your county extension service and ask how to submit a sample for id.

[Lar]

OR...go ahead and post a binary site a picture of them and leaves of the plant they being found on

Lar

[joann]

I'll do this when it is on a.b.p.g I'll post notice here

thanks

Joann