Masked Hunter

Found indoors in homes, basements, and around buildings, as well as outdoors in protected areas.

Predatory insect that feeds on other household pests such as bed bugs, carpet beetles, spiders, and flies.

Nymphs cover themselves in dust, lint, and debris for camouflage (hence 'masked'). They are nocturnal hunters that use a proboscis to inject paralyzing saliva into prey.

Benefits: Acts as a beneficial predator controlling populations of household pests. Risks: Can inflict a painful defensive bite if handled or accidentally squashed, similar to a bee sting, but they do not feed on human blood or transmit diseases.