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Post by bruceinmich on Jun 23, 2018 15:00:32 GMT -8
I was cleaning some old leaves off of my just purchased home with a wooden deck. After blowing the leaves, I noticed these bugs, hundreds of them. The wood all looks intact, no obvious holes on the surface. The planks also seem solid. So... I'm hoping it's a harmless type of ant. Upon further inspection, they were also all over the ground along the bottom of the deck. Any/all help in identifying these things would be appreciated.  |
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Post by Paul K on Jun 23, 2018 15:23:19 GMT -8
I was cleaning some old leaves off of my just purchased home with a wooden deck. After blowing the leaves, I noticed these bugs, hundreds of them. The wood all looks intact, no obvious holes on the surface. The planks also seem solid. So... I'm hoping it's a harmless type of ant. Upon further inspection, they were also all over the ground along the bottom of the deck. Any/all help in identifying these things would be appreciated. don't worry about your house , they are not termites or ants. This is a nymphal stage of assassin bug or kissing bug so you may want to avoid them inside the house for health reasons although I am not sure if this particular species is dangerous in any way to human as I don't study them. Paul |
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Termite?
Jun 23, 2018 16:26:18 GMT -8
via mobile
Post by bruceinmich on Jun 23, 2018 16:26:18 GMT -8
Wow. Thank you so much for the great news. I felt bad after my post for not including some info. The bugs are about 1/8 to 1/2 inch in diameter. I live in Southwest Michigan, there is an old tree next to the deck and the ground looks like it hasn't been raked in a long while. Also, the gutters have an actual garden growing in them. My plan of action is cleaning the gutters, trimming the tree and power washing the deck. Just general maintenance should limit the bugs, which gross me out. Again, Thank You,
Bruce
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Post by bandrow on Jun 24, 2018 17:48:11 GMT -8
Greetings, I want to clarify some of the information provided by Paul K. Your insect is a species of Heteroptera, the 'true bugs', as Paul said, but is not in the family Reduviidae, the assassin and kissing bugs. It is a nymph of a species of Rhopalidae, likely Boisea trivittata, the Eastern boxelder bug. See more about it here: bugguide.net/node/view/3598The Rhopalidae are plant-feeders and do not pose any kind of health concern, as they do not bite people - their beaks (mouth parts) are only able to pierce plant tissue. They do tend to congregrate in large numbers at times, as the specimens you noticed seem to be doing. Hope this is more reassuring that you're not under attack! Cheers! Bandrow |
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Post by lepidopterist on Jul 7, 2018 5:39:10 GMT -8
Nice avatar bandrow! RUSH is the best bad in the galaxy.
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Post by bandrow on Jul 7, 2018 18:57:13 GMT -8
Hi Lepidopterist,
Thanks! Only a true fan would recognize that image for what it is! I've been lucky enough to see them numerous times - the first time in 1978 on the '2112' tour in Cleveland and the last time here in Pittsburgh on the 'Clockwork Angels' tour. I listen to a lot of other stuff, from Pink Floyd to Arch Enemy to Shinedown - all over the progressive/hard rock spectrum - but at the core of it all, I still turn to Rush as the best of all. Phenomenal musician-ship, endlessly creative songwriting and most of all - intelligent, thoughtful lyrics...
Cheers!
Bandrow
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