Do blister beetles live in Florida?
Do blister beetles live in Florida?
From wildlife that dwells in the Everglades to pests that sneak into your home, Florida is one state with no shortage of pesky pests. One common Florida bug that can be quite the nuisance is the blister beetle. Keep reading to learn more about this particular insect.
What do blister beetle bites look like?
Blister beetle dermatitis causes a localized blister or welt. The welt may look like a raised, red patch of skin, whereas the blister produces a pocket of fluid and pus. The reaction develops on areas of skin exposed to the beetle. Pain, burning, redness, and swelling often accompany these lesions.
How do you get rid of striped blister beetles?
Handpicking is a good way to control the beetles, but wear gloves to protect yourself from the toxin. Knock them into a container of soapy water where they will die, or shake a stem over a pan of soapy water.
Are blister beetles poisonous?
Blister beetles excrete a toxic blistering agent called cantharidin, which can cause irritation and blistering when it comes in contact with the eyes, skin, mouth, throat, or digestive tract. The irritation and blisters that form can be painful but usually are not life-threatening.
Do blister beetles live in grass?
There are some 250 kinds of blister beetles, members of the family Meloidae, spread across the U.S. Various types of the beetle are common in the east, south and midwest. They’re also found in the grasslands of the west and southwest, and in gardens along the Pacific coast.
How do you prevent blister beetles?
Gardeners can keep the numbers of blister beetles in the garden to a minimum by spreading diatomaceous earth (also called DT) in the general vicinity of plants threatened by blister beetle attacks. Diatomaceous earth can also be used as a barrier in small pots and raised garden beds.
What states are blister beetles found?
Although blister beetles can be found in virtually all hay-producing states, University of Minnesota extension specialists note that they are most common in arid Southern and Plains states and where grasshoppers are commonplace because the beetles feed on grasshopper eggs.
