On Wed, 10 Jul 1996, Janet Partlow wrote:

> First of all, in diagnosing an insect "problem", the first question
> I ask myself: Is there a problem? Are these bugs actually on the
> birds? Are they on the people to the extent of leaving typically red
> insect bite marks? Are they just flying around in the vicinity of the
> nest, perhaps drawn by the lovely rich smell of baby bird poop?

Probably I should have explained a little more the first time so I
wouldn't have to defend myself now. BUT ... yes these bugs are a problem.
They are about 1/50 of an inch long (that is really small) and
sufficiently dense that the ceiling four inches above the nest is visibly
darkened viewing from 15 feet away. That implies numbers probably in the
thousands. Presumably they are on the nestlings four inches away. Yes
they are on people. Everytime we go under the nest (which is every time
we go in or out of the front door) many of them get on us and they do seem
to bite as I do have red spots on me which are reminiscent of flea bites.
They are not fleas however (or at least not like any I have seen) as they
are much smaller and they crawl (quite quickly) rather than jump. I don't
think they fly either. I also don't think they are providing nutrition
for anyone since other than the swallows there are no birds on our front
step. Of course the ones that get on us end up in the house where they
are even less likely to provide a meal for someone.
Having said all that I agree that many people are too quick to
label any insect as a problem. Nonetheless I draw the line at insects (or
perhaps they are arachnids) that want to come in my house and get on me.

> What I recommend in the case of a possible insect problem is to get
> a few samples and take them into your local Conservation Service.

I just tried looking up Conservation Service in the various ways (Yellow
Pages, Blue Pages under city, county, state, etc.) and found nothing. Is
there another name I should look under?

Jim Elder (jime at eskimo.com)
SEA, Inc.
7030 220th St SW
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043