Bat bug

Bat bugs are blood-sucking insects of the family Cimicidae that are closely related to the bedbug. They are so-named because they feed primarily on the blood of bats, although they will bite humans if necessary. Bat bugs are so similar to bedbugs that they are often mistaken; microscopic examination is needed to distinguish them.

Bat bugs are moderately common in the midwest, and are found in houses and buildings that harbor bats.

Bat bugs feed on blood from bats, but when they wander away from the bat roost area, they will feed on other warm-blooded animals, including people. This feeding is an annoyance but is not dangerous. Bat bugs have not been found to transmit any diseases.

Bat bugs are also known for their unique form of reproduction. Males inseminate the female by piercing the female's abdomen and depositing sperm directly into her bloodstream. In response to this traumatic insemination, female bat bugs have evolved a paragenital structure on their abdomen that limits the damage by guiding the male's sharp penile prong into a spongy area full of immune cells.

Controlling bat bugs requires the elimination of any bats that are present in the home or building. This is accomplished by exclusion techniques also known as "building them out" (i.e., sealing entrance cracks and holes). Residual sprays such as deltamethrin sprayed into all cracks and crevices, especially light fixtures and window casings, may help to control the bugs.

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