What is this found in my home?

[Bumblebun]

I moved into a new home a few weeks ago and I have noticed lots of spiders and moths here no matter how much I clean.

I went away for a few weeks and returned home and decided to do some painting in my bedroom and noticed these small piles of what looks like dust.

please can someone tell me what this is?
I thought termites but have just googled that termites are uncommon to find in the UK.

bottle cap is for size reference. Thanks

Moth eggs?

Termites. Are there any holes nearby?

Looks like frass but who knows what from.

@Begby6789
i tried looking at pictures of moth eggs but from what i saw online, these look different.

the spiders I see are false widow spiders but im unsure if these are eggs if those or something else.

Woodworm dust?

@Greigeisthelatestbeige

it’s a relatively old property so yes some holes although I have done my best to patch them up. The floor was concrete when I moved in with gaps but I’ve put flooring down recently so no more gaps on the floor.

I do have an issue with damp and mould though so unsure if this may be related.

@Geneticsbunny
that could be a though although I haven’t seen any worms or worm like insects here yet.

I will check for pictures if this matches.

@Treecreature

Thank you. I think you’re right. I’ve searched pictures of clothes moth frass and I’ve seen an almost identical picture.

Ant droppings? Have a look at photos online to determine if ants or termites.

A quick Google says areas in Devon found termite infestations.

@Greigeisthelatestbeige

thank you although no sign of ants. Just an overwhelming amount of false widow spiders and moths. I think this may be an infestation to find so many piles in such a short time.

im going to google some ways to get rid. Thank you

You don't see woodworms - they are not worms, they are insect larvae. They eat wood from the inside and leave tell-tale holes in the surface of the wood when they become adult beetles and hatch out. They also leave dust from their excavations.

@invisiblecat

oh I see.
i will have a look although i dont have any wood in my home where i can image they would be eating. Unless they are living inside the walls as my flooring is tiled.

thanks i will investigate.

Too small and dusty for moth eggs?

You are unlikely to see wood "worms" (actually larvae/maggot/caterpillar type things) of the furniture beetle, but it looks a lot like frass from something similar. Is there furniture or wood above where you found it? if so place a piece of white paper under the furniture (or other potential food source and see what happens)

Useful pics here: https://www.timberwise.co.uk/woodworm-treatment/what-do-woodworm-look-like/ - only problem is there are are fair few other beetles that look similar (and eat different things - like the vodka beetle, biscuit beetle, carpet beetle etc). You will often find the beetles on window sills after they have laid eggs and are attempting to go on their merry way to do more damage! Also Natural History Museum has lots of info and good pics here: www.nhm.ac.uk/take-part/identify-nature/common-insect-pest-species-in-homes/furniture-beetle-anobium-punctatum-identification-guide.html#:~:text=Furniture%20beetles%20can%20cause%20serious%20damage%20to%20structural%20timbers%20if%20left%20unchecked.

Where were these piles of dust? Under furniture? On top of furniture? On the floor? Might help us work out where it has come from and what the culprit is.

@RiksBottom

Thank you for the information. The pile was under my bed and no wood was there. Just tins of paint.

I did find a plastic bag with some peanut shells that must have fallen and it seems the dust was in the bag and the bag seemed to be eaten in some parts. The peanut shells also seemed to be nibbled on but didn’t look like a mouse or anything has eaten it as it was more like insects have been eating it.

the dust piles are in various spots in my bedroom though (where the damp and mould is the worst) so I have seen some of the dust under my rug and behind a picture frame (which was wood) and in the corner behind my shelves but these shelves are metal.

@WonderingWanda

this pile specifically was under my bed in the corner however I have the same piles behind a picture frame and behind my metal shelf unit. I also noticed a pile on the plug sockets under my bed and in the wiring near the plug.

I have attached another photo.

As hard as it is to believe I do clean these spots but (although have to admit I’ve never thought to clean the plug socket as I tend to just run the hoover under the bed) but I feel I have an invasion and I went away for 2 weeks and came back to see this.

These piles may also be in other rooms however as I’ve started redecorating my bedroom first I’ve noticed this first.

Is your bed wood?

@Geneticsbunny

my bed is metal. Floor is tiled.
I know it’s very strange. The second picture I uploaded was along the wall under the bed.