Bugs, Bites, and Bats...Oh My!

Today, I was in my kitchen just minding my own business when I felt a sudden stinging/biting sensation on the back of my neck. I didn't know what it was, but I knew it hurt and it wasn't stopping. As soon as I realized is wasn't going away, I figured some thing was on my neck. I swatted at it while saying "Ow, ow, ow! Something is stinging me!" My sisters were watching the whole thing...wondering what I was talking about. After I swatted, Holly turned me around and told me, "Hold on! Hold on!" (It was on the back of my shirt.) She bumped it off and it landed on the floor. I thought it was a spider, at first, but after the others inspected it, they could see it only had six legs. Holly and Darin immediately caught it in a jar for further study. However, we were clueless as to what it was. None of us had ever seen a bug like that. She quickly got on the internet to do some research. I, meanwhile, was dealing with the after-effects. The site of the "bite" was stinging/burning like crazy and getting worse. Within seconds, it got red. Within a minute, it had a huge red ring around it. Shortly after that, it started to welt up. And then it got really itchy. I couldn't see the back of my neck, so I just asked everyone to give me the "play-by-play" of it's appearance. Too bad I didn't have someone take a picture of the bite. It continued to burn. I had Heidi spray Bactine on it for the antiseptic/pain killer. Later, Dr. Troy said to put ice on it. Eventually, the pain subsided. I continued the research on the internet and we finally confirmed that it was this...



It's called an Assassin Bug. There are several species within this class...this one is from the Famila Reduviidae. Apparently, its toxic fluid that is injected through its beak is what causes their bites to be so painful. OUCH! (You can read more about the Assassin Bug HERE. This site isn't as graphic as some of the other sites. Some went into major detail and got me (and my kids) a little freaked out...So, I'll share what I learned (ha, ha). This bug is very closely related to another blood-sucking bug, nicknamed the Kissing Bug (Triatoma species). They are known to feed on the soft tissues of humans (found on the lips and eyelids) and tend to feed at night (for up to 15 minutes at a time), bringing on serious illness and even death, to those who might me allergic to their bite. These insects can bring on the "mysterious" sleeping sickness. But don't worry...those bugs are mostly found in Central and South America. I had to re-assure my children of that as they were going to bed tonight.

Anyway...a while later, we found another huge unknown bug out on our back deck. We conferred together and decided it was a more adult version of the bug that bit me. It's mama, maybe? Or another cousin. Yuck! Too many unknown bugs for me. I've been batting things away, swatting my arms and legs, itching all over...because I feel like bugs are crawling all over me. They're out to get me! Aaaargh! It doesn't help that the Box Elder bugs (firebugs) are coming out of hibernation. We will soon be infested with them and our house will be covered with them, especially the south and west sides of the house, where the exterior walls are the warmest. And...as if that's not enough...we have seven or eight bats living underneath our wood shutters on the front of the house...right by the front door. They "sleep" during the day and then leave at night. Different numbers come back by morning, but we always have a few.

So, I will leave you now with visions of sugar plums...no, I mean mysterious blood sucking bugs and bats...dancing in your heads. Just be sure to cover up your lips and eyelids for tonight. Sweet Dreams!