Ten Nasty Bugs
Below is a summary of our top 10 list of nasty bugs. If you are interested and want to find out more about any of the insects and bugs we have listed below, the internet is a wonderful place for doing a little more research.
Africanized Honey Bees
Africanized Honey Bees are a cross breed of African Honey Bees and European Honey Bees. These hybrid bees are also referred to as Killer Bees.
Even though these Africanized Honey Bees may look like the common honey bee, they are far more deadly. African honey bees are agitated easily; if the nesting area is disturbed they will take up chase moving in a terrifying swarm of bees and can kill what they attack, by repeated stinging.
As scary as they sound, the African Honey Bee does pollinate crops and they do produce honey. These bee colonies are discourage in the US but widely accepted and the bee of choice in Central and South America.
Human Bot Fly
Oh yes, a human botfly (Dermatobia hominis). These are mostly found in Central America and Mexico and look similar to a bumble bee. The human botfly is not considered harmful nor is it known to transmit disease.
The human botfly itself does not burrow under the skin to lay its eggs rather it lays the eggs on insects such as mosquitoes, flies and ticks and are then deposited on the skin when these insects bite a person. The eggs hatch into maggots which then burrow under the skin and as they grow, feed off blood and skin tissue. If the maggots are not removed, they can remain up to eight weeks.
Cockroach
Cockroaches have been known to withstand normal bug removal treatments. Cockroaches are not picky eaters, eating just about anything in your home and they are carriers of disease. The bacteria and organisms that cause disease are carried on the cockroach legs and bodies and are then deposited on countertops, utensils, and food. Yuk!
Bacteria causing disease from the cockroach are: urinary tract infection, food poisoning, diarrhea, dermatitis, and respiratory issues to name just a few.
If these nasty little creatures are in your home, you may not know it until one morning you get up and turn on the kitchen light and see them skittering away.
Desert Locust
The desert locust is one of the most destructive animals on the planet. They look a lot like grasshoppers, but turn into swarms of ravenous beasts when plant conditions are just right. Because of the destruction they cause to crops, locusts can be a detriment to the livelihood of agricultural farmers.
Fire Ants
These small critters were imported into the United States around the 1920s and 1930s originally coming from South American and Brazil and are red or black in color.
Fire ants can aggressively and repeatedly bite and sting at the same time causing a burning sensation and a lot of pain to the affected areas. If you get stung by fire ants it could be fatal if you have an allergic reaction, have a weakened immune system or are an older individual who may not be in the best of health.
Their colonies can contain anywhere from 100,000 to 500,000 insects, which is an increased risk for harm. It is best to stay away from fire ants and if you see an infestation near your home, call in a professional.
Fleas
If you own a dog or cat then you have probably dealt with fleas. Fleas live outdoors but will latch onto your pet and get carried in to the house. Isn’t it so nice they get a free ride in? No. Fleas will bite animals and humans and if you get bitten you will see a small cluster of raised red bumps.
Infection from a flea bite can occur if you scratch the area and break the skin around the bite mark. These tiny little bugs also carry diseases; do you remember the bubonic plague? The plaque bacteria are spread and carried via rodents.
If pets are not treated, fleas can infest your home but they can be prevented with the use of a topical flea medication and flea bombing your home if necessary.
Giant Centipede
These large creatures can be found in the Amazon, Southeast Asia and even some areas of the southern and northern United States. Some of these giant centipedes can reach up to 7 inches. Like all centipedes, they are carnivorous, but unlike the smaller versions which mainly eat small bugs, the Giant Centipede can eat small animals, such as mice or frogs using poisonous claws on the underside of its head that deliver the venom.
Their venom is not dangerous enough to kill an adult, but there can be a severe reaction to the skin as well as pain and swelling. Regardless, I wouldn’t want to meet one of them on a dark night in the jungle.
Asian Hornet
The Asian hornet is the stuff of nightmares, these huge insect can reach up to a total of three inches long including wingspan. They can found in Eastern Asia and Japan but have been reported in some areas of the US.
The Asian hornet and the subspecies Japanese hornet can attack a hive of honeybees and kill up to 30,000 bees in just a few hours. It’s creepy but very real. The only honeybee currently known to repel an attack from the Japanese or Asian hornet is the Japanese honeybee.
These hornets will protect their territory if disturbed, they have giant stingers which contain deadly venom and they can sting repeatedly. The venom is highly toxic and can cause serious injury if stung.
I would suggest steering clear of these insects if you happen to come across a nest, do not antagonize them.
Mosquitoes
I don’t know of anyone who likes mosquitoes, not only do they ruin our time outside with their biting, which interestingly enough, only the female bites to get blood, they are known to be the deadliest animals on the planet.
These pesky and annoying mosquitoes carry dangerous diseases like Malaria, Zika Virus, encephalitis, and Yellow Fever. Malaria for instance can kill millions each year and other mosquito disease can incapacitate just as many. One reason they are so deadly is they are found all over the world and there are over 3,000 species.
Mosquitoes breed in standing water, so eliminate any water around your house. If you have a pool be sure it is chlorinated both in ground and above ground pools.
To avoid and help from being bitten, keep the bug spray handy so these tiny bugs won’t bite and share a disease with you!
Spiders
While they are not the deadliest of creatures, many folks are scared of spiders. However, there are a few species to avoid: the brown recluse, black widow, and wolf spider. Some spiders like the dry warmth, while others prefer moisture and they all seem to enjoy hiding in the dark. So beware of spiders when checking out any dark spaces!
