Masked Hunter (Nymph)

Natural Habitat

Often found indoors in dark, dry areas like basements, attics, and storage rooms, as well as outdoors in woodpiles.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivorous predator that eats small arthropods including bed bugs, carpet beetles, silverfish, and earwigs.

Behavior Patterns

Nymphs secrete a sticky substance to camouflage themselves with dust, lint, and debris (a behavior known as 'masking'). They are nocturnal hunters.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem and households by preying on pests like bed bugs. While not aggressive, they can deliver a painful bite to humans if handled or threatened.

Identified on: 1/10/2026