The masked hunter, Reduvius personatus, is primarily found on attics, in outbuildings and similar places. The nymphs secrete a sticky substance which causes dust and dirt to stick to them. The adult masked hunter, on the other hand, is shiny, brownish animals. They are 1.5 cm long. Masked hunters are predatory insects and feed on other insects, which intestines they suck out. There are examples of people being bitten while sleeping or the bugs have bitten in self-defense. The bite is painful and the skin reaction is rather strong.
In housing with bedbugs, there are sometimes a lot of masked hunters, which feed on the bed bugs. However, usually the masked hunters that are occasionally found inside are individuals who have strayed from their natural hunting grounds
It is rarely necessary to perform an actual eradication. If large numbers of masked hunters are found, for example, out from the cracks to a roof slope, the bugs can be eradicated with an insect powder.
Masked hunters are present in all seasons, however, they are mostly seen in the period from June to August.
"Pests in House and Home"
"Bed Bugs - Bites, Stings and Itches"
"Food Pests"
"Husets dyreliv" (Insects Around the House - Only danish)
"Skadedyr i træ" (Timber Pests - Only danish)
"Stuefluen" (Common Housefly - Only danish)