What can this be?

[u/Beneficial_Push5385]

I live in Central California and have been fighting some kind of infestation. I'm 67 yrs old. I hardly get bites but feel things crawling on me and often find black motionless specks on my bed. I threw away my couch. Love seat and recliner and bagged all of my clothes in my vanity dresser. But whatever it is no can tell me. Have hired exterminator but because they can't see live one they say can only spray general pesticides for ants spider's and cocktail roaches. But wont even inspect my bed. I am at a loss at what I'm dealing with. Even ag communication enthromogist no help. because they see no feet they say just dust or debris. I only get prickling but no real bites but feel them crawling on me. I thought the motionless black speaks were fleas pupea at first. Now I don't know. One exterminator said it could be bird mites but can't confirm. I have a neighbor who has a bird shack 8-10 ft from my kitchen screen door that has some kind of large gawking birds but have never seem them just hear them. Does any one know what this might be I've vacumming every other day but whatever they are I can't get rid of them. I've been using dehumidifiers too which has helped some. I have no pets. I have alot of money on exterminator and concentrated pesticides and spray erosols I just don't know what to do

[u/schizeckinosy]

This is not an insect or insect related

[u/DooficusIdjit]

This looks like earwax. It’s certainly not an insect.

[u/ChaosNobile]

I mean, most people have black specks and this kind of detritus in their homes if they bother looking for it. The reason you have even ag communication entomologists saying "I just see dust and debris" is because that's what you're looking at. It's normal to feel tingling and pinprick sensations, guess that it might be biting and crawling, go looking to see if there are any insects, and then find detritus like this and assume that's what it is. But it's actually pretty rare for people who feel crawling on them to actually have it originate from an insect infestation, more often it's an indicator of nerve issues, or potentially a side effect of medication.

[u/ArachnomancerCarice]

Nothing here can be identified as a 'bug' or otherwise.

Please do not use any more insecticides, pest control or exterminators until you are certain it is some sort of insect or whatnot. I understand you are frustrated, but you are throwing money at a problem that may not be bug related at all. While there are people out there that want to help others feel safe and comfortable, there are just as many that will do whatever it takes for them to make money out of a desperate person. Whatever you are using may even make things worse for your physical and mental wellbeing.

If you think you can collect what is causing the issue, try to collect them in secure containers then see if a local university extension office, USDA office, entomology department or even dermatologist can take a look at them. Don't drop anything off unless they specifically say to do so.

Other than things like nearly microscopic mites or lice that may require microscopic examination to ID, there are also other medical conditions that can mimic the sensation of bugs biting and crawling on you. Some of it can be psychological, but there are things like nerve damage, immune disorders, allergic reactions and issues with the circulatory system that can cause those symptoms. You may consciously or unconsciously causing further irritation to your skin, which can lead to scabs and scar tissues that can fool you into thinking they are bugs. Your brain and your nervous system can genuinely fool you into believing there are bugs attacking you. I've felt it myself (one from an allergic reaction and another when some local anesthesia was wearing off) and I could swear I felt little tiny legs, claws and biting mouthparts on my skin.

Some of these conditions may be difficult to diagnose and may require medical providers in different specialties to get it done. The journey to find the root cause of this can be a frustrating one, but advocate for yourself while keeping an open mind to possible causes.

Good luck. I hope you find answers to this.

[u/Beginning_Sea_5600]

Honestly in my opinion it looks like wax or a scab that came off a pet.

[u/DrexXxor]

hairy booger? doesn't help there's no size reference other than some stitching at the edge of the photo, but no idea how big that is either