What the heck is this??
Location: Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Kitchen, house.
April 2, 2011 7:49 pm
Hello!
I recently found this scuttering around on the floor of my kitchen. Currently, I have it trapped inside a cup. Can you tell me what this is and if I should be careful around it or not? Thank you!
Signature: Dan
Hi Dan,
This is an immature Masked Hunter. a species of Assassin Bug. Before they become winged adults, Masked Hunters have a sticky surface that attracts dust and lint which camouflages them in their environment. They prey upon other insects. They are also sometimes called Bed Bug Hunters which would imply that Bed Bugs are among their typical prey, in which case they should be welcomed into homes considering that instances of Bed Bug infestations have been getting recent media coverage. We have never received a report of a person being bitten by a Masked Hunter, though that is a possibility if they are carelessly handled. Slide a postcard under the cup and remove the Masked Hunter to the outside if you do not want it patrolling your home for prey.
I had one of these bite me in the night. It hurt like crazy! I’ve had lots of bug bites in my day, but none ever as painful as this one. We have never had bed bugs so not sure what the Masked Hunter was hunting, me I guess.?