Kissing Bug
For anyone who requires an example of why one should never judge a book by its cover (in this case, the bug’s name), this is it. However innocent the name “kissing bug” may sound, the fact that these are indeed one of the most frightening nocturnal creatures you will come across remains.
The kissing bug typically bites humans around the lips and eyes, and one mark is all it takes to cause Chagas disease, a hazardous condition that inflicts damage on the central nervous system and heart. Even though these critters are commonly in the south and central America, they are also sometimes spotted in Texas among other southern states.
Scorpion
Scorpions are yet another nocturnal pests and prefer living in warm and dry climates like deserts. However, the good news is that most American varieties of scorpions do not have lethal venom, unlike those found in Africa, but be careful as this does not mean that their sting is any less painful.
If you are camping outdoors in the wild, or just taking a stroll outside at night, make sure you are wearing your shoes to avoid unpleasant encounters. What’s more, always shake out and check the clothing and shoes outside before deciding to put them on.
Brown Recluse Spider
Provoking a brown recluse can cause them to attack and bite you, which though not typically fatal, can surely result in fever, blisters, and difficulty sleeping.
As for how to spot a brown recluse spider, the distinctive violin-shaped mark it has on its back is an excellent way to ensure the same. What’s more, though these venomous spiders are commonly spotted in woodpiles or beneath rocks, they also often hide in rarely worn clothing or shoes, attics, basements, and other crawl places.
Under any suspicion of bite, immediately consulting a doctor is the way to go.
Africanized Honey Bees
While many honey bee species are harmless for the most part, the same is not so true for these Africanized bees, evident from the fact the other name of them is, in fact, “killer bees.”
A hybrid between the African honey bee and one of many subspecies of European bees, the life-threatening Africanized bees can be found in America.
Considering how fast and furiously they attack intruders, it is a significant concern worldwide, with already 1000 people dead in brazil due to the bees since their arrival in the region. But that’s just Brazil’s fatality. As they continue to spread throughout the central and southern United States and Mexico at the rate of around 200 miles/year, the terror is bound to grow intensely.
Conclusion
There are many dangers, such as mosquitoes causing yellow fever to deer ticks causing Lyme disease, the killer bees, and some life-threatening others painful. And, since these insects are equally part of the environment as you are, prevention and alertness is the only way to ensure safety.
Whenever you come across such dangerous creatures, make sure you keep calm and at no cost intervene in their natural habitat or make them feel threatened. If you have a bug bite that continues to worsen, consult a doctor immediately. This is equally important if you are unsure of what bit you.
