BUGSPRAY.COM

PEST CONTROL HELP, ADVICE, TREATMENTS AND SUPPLIES

call to order: 800-877-7290 (EXT 1)
email questions: order@bugspray.com
text questions: 678-667-2284

  • HOME
  • CATALOG
    • BAIT
      • ANIMAL BAITS
      • BAIT STATIONS
      • GEL BAITS
      • GRANULAR BAITS
    • DETERRENTS
      • AEROSOLS
      • FUMIGANTS
      • GEL
      • GRANULES
      • LIQUIDS
      • POWERED
      • SOUND
      • VISUAL
      • WEARABLE
    • EQUIPMENT
      • BAIT APPLICATORS
      • B&G PARTS
      • CHAPIN PARTS
      • DUSTERS
      • DUSTICK PARTS
      • FIRST AID TREATMENTS
      • FOGGING MACHINES
      • GOLDEN EAGLE PARTS
      • GRANULE SPREADERS
      • NETTING
      • SAFETY GEAR
      • SPECIALTY TOOLS
      • SPRAYERS
      • STATIONS FOR BAITS, GRANULES, AND LIQUIDS
    • EXEMPT
      • AEROSOLS
      • ADDITIVE
      • DUST
      • GRANULES
      • LIQUIDS
    • INSECTICIDES
      • AEROSOLS
      • BACTERIA BASED (BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS)
      • DUSTS
      • GELS
      • GRANULES
      • INSECT GROWTH REGULATORS
      • LIQUID CONCENTRATES
      • PET SPRAY
      • SCALP (FOR USE ON PEOPLE)
      • WETTABLE POWDER
    • ORGANIC
      • LIQUIDS
    • SANITIZERS
      • AEROSOLS
      • GRANULES
      • LIQUIDS
    • TRAPS
      • CAGE DESIGN FOR LIVE TRAPPING
      • COIL SPRING TRAPS
      • CONIBEAR TRAPS
      • ELECTRIC TRAPS FOR ANIMALS AND INSECTS
      • FLY TRAPS
      • GLUE TRAPS FOR ANIMALS AND INSECTS
      • LONG SPRING TRAPS
      • LURES, BAIT AND SCENT
      • PAINT FOR TRAPS
      • PHEROMONE OR FOOD BASED TRAPS
      • POLES, SNAKE TONGS, GRABBERS AND OTHER
      • SNAP, SNARE AND TUNNEL DESIGNS
    • YARD AND GARDEN
      • BAT AND BIRD HOUSES
      • FERTILIZERS AND SOIL AMENDMENTS
      • FUNGICIDES
      • HERBICIDES AND WEED KILLERS
      • LAWN SAFE PAINT AND MARKING AGENTS
      • PRE-EMERGENTS
  • PEST
    • INSECT CONTROL AND SUPPLIES
    • NUISANCE WILDLIFE IN THE YARD OR HOME
    • ODOR, MOLD, WEEDS, FERTILIZER AND MORE
  • SAFETY
    • CHILD SAFE?
    • PEOPLE SAFE?
    • PET SAFE?
    • WILDLIFE SAFE?
    • SAFETY VIDEOS
      • AEROSOLS
      • CONCENTRATES
      • DUST
      • GRANULES
      • HOW LONG TO WAIT?
    • PRODUCT VIDEOS
      • FOGGERS
      • HOW TO VIDEOS
        • HOW TO IDENTIFY TREE BORER DAMAGE
        • HOW TO REBOOT SOLAR POWERED GROUND STAKE REPELLER
        • HOW TO RESET AN AEROSOL CAP
        • HOW TO WINTERIZE YOUR PUMP SPRAYER
      • VIDEO ANSWERS
  • ORDER STATUS
  • VIEW CART
  • ABOUT
    • CONTACT
      • 800-877-7290
      • E-MAIL
      • HOURS
    • NEWSLETTER
    • OUR SERVICES
      • SERVICE COMPANIES WE TRUST
    • PRIVACY
    • PROMO
    • RETURNS
Home » how to control minute pirate bugs on home

how to control minute pirate bugs on home

July 26, 2012 By Tech Support 7 Comments

Toggle
  • PIRATE BUG BIOLOGY
  • PIRATE BUG INVASIONS
  • PIRATE BUG SPRAY FOR THE HOUSE
  • MINUTE PIRATE BUG SPRAY FOR THE YARD
  • MINUTE PIRATE BUG SPRAY FOR INSIDE THE HOME
minute pirate bug
Minute Pirate Bug also known as flower bugs

I had a pest guy come and look at our bugs and he told me they were minute pirate bugs? They are little tiny black bugs that are on the outside of our home on our doors and window screens. Usually they are just around in the fall but now we’re seeing them more. I was told it was when the farmers start harvest but this spring they are here and seem to keep getting worse. We live in Iowa by the way.

They are worse on the doors during the day and then go away at least on the doors in the evening but are still on the window screens. I also see them in the yard on various plants and I think they can bite! If these are pirate bugs, what do you recommend for treatment and how long do you think it would take for them to be gone or at least get them to where they aren’t as bad and we can actually be outside without them being everywhere? I have a toddler and a dog and I think the dog is allergic to them. Let me know, thank you.

Based on how this pest is behaving, I’m sure they’re pirate bugs. And since a local pest control technician believes that’s what they are too, let’s assume this is the target pest.

PIRATE BUG BIOLOGY

In general the pirate bug is a pest late summer and early fall. They’re predatory by nature feeding on small insects (they love larval stages of crop pests) and when farmers harvest crops many will get relocated from their natural home.

Once in the yard, they will hang around untreated plants looking for active food. People and pets in the yard will find them annoying and if you’re allergic to their touch, your skin will welt in a fashion similar to flea or mosquito bites.

Now since most insects peak in population by late summer and fall, they can literally run out of food. This causes them to migrate toward more urban, populated areas. It’s here where they encounter man and in many cases, will even sting people so you’re concern is warranted.

Now in some years they’ll get active early spring, way before there is any food present, and it appears this is happening right now for you. And when they emerge early, there is usually is no food available. So if there is no food and still some cold in the air,  pirate bugs will seek any heated structure to roost and stay protected. This is why you’re seeing them on your home.

PIRATE BUG INVASIONS

In the past we’ve seen where many of these early infestations will just “disappear” as the temps rise with spring kicking in. But this might take another month or two. Worth noting is that once pirate bugs start coming around, the structures they target tend to get infested annually over and over so it’s not something you want to let develop if you see it getting worse. And in most cases once they start appearing in the spring you should expect to see them coming around in the fall too.

PIRATE BUG SPRAY FOR THE HOUSE

The good news is they’re easy to treat. Just mix up some MAXTHOR and BOOST applied down the siding where you see activity. It usually only takes 1-2 treatments to knock them out and the Maxxthor will repel them for several weeks as well. So if you want them gone now this is what we recommend. And if they come back next fall, be sure to treat then too or else they’ll start using your home for safe keeping during the normally cold winter. And you don’t want that happening because once that starts, some will find their way inside the home for sure.

The following video shows how to use our GREEN TOPPED HOSE END SPRAYER to make the application. Remember, you’ll want to add both the Maxxthor (2.5 oz) and the Spreader Sticker (1 oz) to the sprayer AND then add the water.

YouTube Video

As the video above shows, 1/2 oz of Maxxthor per gallon of water and plan on getting about 500 sq/ft of coverage per mixed gallon. Pirate bugs and other insects will die quickly when you spray and since Maxxthor is highly repellent, insects will avoid treated areas.

MORE INFOSAVE ONLINE

QTY

 

To get the most of your treatment, add SPREAD-X BOOST to your tank mix along with the Maxxthor. Boost is an adjuvant, also known as a wetter spreader or spreader sticker. It basically makes water and the mixture more “slippery” so you get better coverage. Treatments will spread 2-3 times wider and penetrate deeper.

The following short video summarizes why Boost can help deliver your treatment to where it matters the most. And this is extra helpful when treating homes with siding like vinyl, aluminum and stucco where clovermites are likely hiding.

YouTube Video

Add no more than the rate you’re applying the Maxxthor so in this case, if you’re adding 2.5 oz of Maxxthor to the hose end sprayer, add 2.5 oz of Boost too before adding water. If you’re adding Maxxthor to a pump sprayer at the rate of 1 oz per gallon, use 1 oz of Boost.

And don’t spray in the middle of the day; treat late in the day close to sunset so the treatment can dry without direct sunlight. UV light on the Boost can stress plants if the temperature is 85 degrees or higher so treat 2 hours or less before sunset to reduce sunlight stress.

MORE INFOSAVE ONLINE

QTY

 

Treatments can be done with any good PUMP SPRAYER and there is no need to treat the soil so really, there should be no hazard to you or the family when the applications are done properly.

MINUTE PIRATE BUG SPRAY FOR THE YARD

For the grass, shrubs and other ground cover, spray it down with the MAXXTHOR using our GREEN TOPPED HOSE END SPRAYER.

Add 2.5 oz of the Maxxthor along with 1 oz of Spreader Sticker and then add water to the 5 gallon line.

MORE INFOSAVE ONLINE

QTY

MINUTE PIRATE BUG SPRAY FOR INSIDE THE HOME

Once pirate bugs get inside the home, you’ll find them annoying if they target you for food.

Pirate bugs are drawn to saline and moisture so naturally to people when inside a dry environment like a home.

To keep them out of the house, be sure to spray down the homes siding with the Maxxthor above.

Inside the home, apply FS MP AEROSOL to all cracks and crevices around windows, doors, baseboards and points of entry.

The following video (less than 60 seconds long) summarizes why FS MP is so good for use in the home.

YouTube Video

Pirate bugs will hide during the day and get super active at night. FS MP is both quick killing and it will take away any place for them to hide.

FS MP AEROSOL
MORE INFOSAVE ONLINE

QTY

 

For spot treating furniture or carpets, our MULTIPURPOSE INSECT KILLER is water based and gentle enough for anything to sensitive.

You can even spray walls and ceilings and it won’t stain.

This following video shows how to use it for surface spraying.

YouTube Video

Remember, use the FS MP for all the cracks and crevices and the Multipurpose if the bugs are active on rugs, carpets, furniture and basically anywhere out in the open living spaces.

MORE INFOSAVE ONLINE

QTY

 

Please show your support for our business by purchasing the items we recommend from the links provided. Remember, this is the only way we can stay around and keep this valuable web site up and running. Thanks for your business!

 

Filed Under: minute pirate bugs

Comments

  1. Ashley says

    October 3, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    We are getting the pirate bugs again like we thought since its fall. We had our regular bug guy come and spray last week and the bugs came after that, should we still wait a week to spray the stuff we bought from your company on the house? They really haven’t been horrible until yesterday and the temperature is supposed to drop from the high of 83 today to a high in the 50’s tomorrow and be in that range until at least mid next week. Do you think that will help with them? You had mentioned last time that they could get into our house; my bug guy had said that if they do get into the house they wont survive. I have only noticed a couple here and there in the house probably just coming in when we do. We don’t open the windows obviously since they are around…should we worry about them coming in the house?

    Reply
    • Tech Support says

      October 3, 2012 at 7:40 pm

      You definitely need to spray the exterior of the home with some Maxxthor EC as soon as you can. Any time pests are allowed to live on a homes exterior, some will invariably end up inside. This is how Stinkbugs, Asian Ladybugs, Asian Roaches and Boxelder Bug problems all start; first they start to accumulate on the outside of the home. And once there, as the nights cool they’ll migrate deep into any crack or crevice they find and that leads them to get into living spaces. So my recommendation is don’t let these pirate bugs have a chance to get inside.

      And since all you need to do is a simple exterior application every 2-3 weeks when you find activity and that should keep them in check. As for the temps dropping; if anything this will indirectly cause more to come to the home and if the home is not protected, obviously the chances of them getting inside will naturally increase too.

      Maxxthor EC: https://bugspray.com/catalog/insecticide/liquid/maxxthor-ec

      Reply
  2. pamela hoffine says

    August 6, 2014 at 8:30 pm

    I have little black bugs biting me in my car.

    Reply
    • Tech Support says

      August 6, 2014 at 9:06 pm

      Pamela,

      No doubt there is a wide range of biting insects that can move into a car and nest. Fortunately they’re easy to control with the right products. And with that being said, you’ve got two options that can be employed.

      The simplest thing to use would be our Multipurpose Insect Killer. This is a water based aerosol you would use to manually treat. So every evening when you get home and you know you won’t be using the car again until the next morning, you would spray 3-5 seconds into the cab of the car and let it sit overnight. And if you do this for 1-2 weeks, the problem will be gone.

      Multipurpose Insect Killer: https://bugspray.com/catalog/insecticide/aerosol/multi-purpose-insect-killer-10-oz

      The second option would be to place an Aerosol Machine in the car with some Clear Zone Insecticide. Leaving it in the car overnight would serve the same purpose as the Multipurpose but it would be an automated process instead of one you have to do every evening. Now in the morning you will want to turn the machine off and remove it from the car when the car is being used.

      Aerosol 1000: https://bugspray.com/equipment/foggers/aerosol-dispenser-1000

      Metered Air: https://bugspray.com/catalog/insecticide/aerosol/clear-zone-metered-insecticide.html

      Give us a call if you need more help. Our toll free is 1-800-877-7290 and we’re open 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Mon-Fri; 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Saturday, Eastern Standard Time.

      Tech Support
      Customer Care
      https://bugspray.com
      1-800-877-7290

      PS: Please show your support for our business by purchasing the items we recommend from the links provided. Remember, this is the only way we can stay around and be here to answer your questions and keep our web site up and running. Thanks for your business!

      Reply
  3. Roberta says

    April 16, 2019 at 3:54 am

    I live in Green Valley, AZ. I never noticed these bugs before. I have no plants inside or out. When they started biting me, (which is severe painful), I called Terminix. I captured the bugs to show them and they did not know what they were. Thank goodness for your site and spray to kill these nasty nasty bugs!

    Reply
  4. Tyler says

    September 11, 2022 at 8:48 am

    What do you do when they are inside your home ? They are biting me at night ?

    Reply
    • Tech Support says

      September 11, 2022 at 10:40 am

      Tyler,

      If you scroll up, you’ll see we have the FS MP for all the cracks and crevices where they might be hiding.
      .
      FS MP: https://bugspray.com/catalog/insecticide/aerosol/fs-mp-insecticide-15-oz-aerosol
      .
      For furniture and carpeting, go with the Multipurpose Insect Killer.
      .
      Multi Purpose Insect Killer: https://bugspray.com/catalog/insecticide/aerosol/multi-purpose-insect-killer-10-oz
      .
      Technical Support
      bugspray.com

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Shopping Cart


Total: 

Your Shopping Cart

View Cart

SOCIAL

  • youtube
  • tiktok
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • mail

OUR YOUTUBE

WE POST “HOW TO” VIDEOS ALL THE TIME!!

REVIEWS & QUESTIONS

  • G.H. on WHY SHOULD STOP USING MEAL MOTH TRAPS! | BUG SPRAY DOT COM
  • Patty godale on NO SURVIVORS ENZ-A BAC DRAIN PIPE TREATMENT 32 OZ
  • Tech Support on BEST WAY TO TREAT A BASEBOARD AND WALL VOID FOR INSECT PESTS
  • Maria Gasca on BEST WAY TO TREAT A BASEBOARD AND WALL VOID FOR INSECT PESTS
  • Tech Support on FS MP INSECTICIDE 15 OZ AEROSOL
  • Pati on FS MP INSECTICIDE 15 OZ AEROSOL
  • Tech Support on ADVION WDG .33 OZ
  • Mike C. on ADVION WDG .33 OZ
  • Tech Support on RODENT BAIT STATIONS
  • JD on RODENT BAIT STATIONS
  • Tech Support on CRAYFISH CONTROL
  • Mike B on BUGSPRAY MIST FOGGER 11O VOLT 1.2 GALLON
  • Tech Support on MAXFORCE COMPLETE GRANULES
  • Richard Rebello on MAXFORCE COMPLETE GRANULES
  • Tech Support on How to Control Ground Pearls in Lawn | BUGSPRAY
  • Mike on How to Control Ground Pearls in Lawn | BUGSPRAY
  • Tech Support on BEST SPRINGTAIL TREATMENTS AND CONTROL | BUGSPRAY
  • Tech Support on LEMON AIR PLUS or SANNI SHINE INSECTICIDE “DOWN THE DRAIN TREATMENT” 128 OZ
  • Matt on BEST SPRINGTAIL TREATMENTS AND CONTROL | BUGSPRAY
  • Matt on LEMON AIR PLUS or SANNI SHINE INSECTICIDE “DOWN THE DRAIN TREATMENT” 128 OZ

COMMENTS

  • BUGSPRAY FEEDBACK AND USER RATINGS
  • CAN WE HIRE YOU TO TREAT OUR HOME
  • STOP CAULKING YOUR HOME IF YOU HAVE THESE PESTS!
  • Power Injector vs Dusting
  • Psocids questions about how to treat
  • Wood Borers in wood treatment
  • how much should I buy
  • how much spray should i buy?
  • springtails coming from the bathroom wall
  • springtails in my door
  • POWER
  • BEST BASE OIL FOR THERMAL FOGGING AND EC FORMULATIONS
  • rodent droppings in my garage
  • POINT OF RUN OFF WHEN SPRAYING BUG SPRAY
  • RODENT BAIT STATIONS
  • TEMP VENT
  • automatic vents for my crawl space
  • CARPET BEETLE LARVAE
  • HOW OFTEN YOU SHOULD SPRAY TO KEEP PESTS OFF YOUR HOME
  • how often should I be spraying for bugs?

CUSTOMER LOGIN

CUSTOMER LOGIN

ORDER TRACKING

CHECK ORDER STATUS & TRACKING

OFFICE HOURS

MON - FRI       9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
LOCAL                770-985-9388
TOLL FREE          800-877-7290
FAX                    770-985-9319
EMAIL: order@bugspray.com
Text A Tech: 678-667-2284

NEWSLETTER!

*
Your Email Address:
*
Preferred Format:
    First Name:
    Last Name:
*
Enter the security code shown:

SITEMAP · Copyright bugspray.com © 2025