Are Assasin Bugs good for pets?

[AlexPan]

I am thinking of getting some from a guy in UK, but I heard they their bite can kill a mouse with in 10 seconds! Does any one know how exactly bad it is for a human?

Thanks a lot!

[Mona Miller]

Before ordering the assassin bugs, I would try to find out more about them.

I had a friend whose daughter was stung by a wheelbug. She had a very bad allergic reaction and was hospitalized two times for severe pain in the area of the sting.

http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek030901.html
Wheel Bugs

[sbannister]

I don't think it would be a good idea. I'm not sure it's even legal. A bug from England could cause all kinds of havoc here. Imported bugs have done lots of damage in the past. Now if you want a local bug, that's different. Personally, assassin bugs are not my favorite as they eat my caterpillars! But that's just me.


Susan

[Mona Miller]

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/ ... ndex.shtml
Permits are required for the importation, transit, domestic movement and environmental release of Organisms that impact plants, and the importation and transit of Plants and Plant Products under authority of the Plant Protection and Honeybee Acts.

Organism Permits
Organism Permits include Plant Pests such as insects and snails; Plant Pathogens such as fungi, bacteria, and virus’; Biological Control Agents, Bees, Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratories, Soil Microbe Isolation Laboratories, Federal Noxious Weeds and Parasitic Plants.