Darkling beetle

#5549  Hi there, I live in Toronto, Canada.  I recently moved in to a friend’s apt while he’s away for 2 months. I have felt itchy since the first morning I spent here, I also found what I thought could be bite marks on my hamstring and quad, I suspected that it could be a bed bug issue so I started checking the mattress. I found two 2 bugs on his mattress/box spring; I am attaching a picture of each. I am confident that they are not bed bugs but I still need to find out what they are so I can take the most appropriate plan to get rid of the itchiness. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks for your time!

This is a darkling beetle (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Depending on its size, it could be either a mealworm adult (Tenebrio sp. – see http://tinyurl.com/puwfch2) or a flour beetle (Tribolium sp. – see http://tinyurl.com/zy5bfxj). As these can infest dry stored food products, you should check your food storage areas for signs of infestation. They would not be responsible for any bites or itchiness. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.