RE: SB: Problem with "Kissing Bug"?

["Dane S. Judd" <dsjudd@entelchile.net>]

Since I appear to be the only list member in Chile, I will respond on behalf
of that country.
I have never heard of the Kissing Bug  (bicho besador??) in my eight years
here.  The most feared bug here is a certain type of spider.  (Yes, Rob, I
know that it is an arachnid and not an insect. Let´s not start a thread on
this topic!)

As far as the motivation for infestation in the absence of nutrition, the
Kissing Kanook has mentioned that ants will infest the extruded polystyrene
insulation (or something like that) although I would ass-u-me that there is
no nutritional value in that material. He can´t explain it either, saying
that he is not a   !!*?&=!"$ ant and, thus, does not know what they want in
this life. (He asked me if he _looks_ like an ant but I couldn´t respond
truthfully.)  Perhaps they seek shelter and not food. Or a spot on "Oprah".
Or  federal aid to remedy their homeless situation.

It seems logical to me that if a SB wall is completely and firmly sealed
with plaster, the insects cannot enter.  I have been known to exercise
dis-t^o/rt¿ed logic; if that is the case now, the MooseKisser will quickly
point out my error.

Dane
drying out after yet another two days of rain in Valparaíso, Chile


----- Original Message -----
From: Ron Stone <rstoneis@rogers.com>
To: <strawbale@crest.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2002 10:15 AM
Subject: SB: SB: Problem with "Kissing Bug"?

>> Heavily snipped in response to the recent requests...<<


.  The beetle responsible for transmission is
> triatoma protracta, commonly called the "Kissing Bug".  Its long term
affect
> on human health is devastating.  On two occasions while describing this
aid
> project to people, they have raises the concern that the Kissing Bug may
> infest the bale walls of strawbale buildings in Central America and pose a
> health risk to the occupants.  My first thoughts about these concerns was
> that it would be difficult for insects to get into or out of plastered
walls
> if they are properly detailed and maintained, and that, as the straw is
> devoid of nutrients, there would be no more reason for them to infest a
> strawbale wall than any other.
>



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