Residents at several apartment buildings in Hanoi have complained about being bit by rove beetles which invade their rooms every night.

Hundreds of rove beetles are swept away at an apartment of Nguyen Cuong in Ha Dong District

Nguyen Cuong who lives in an apartment in Ha Dong District said that he noticed dozens of rove beetles in his room on the evening of November 29.

"Until then I knew where the rashes on my arms and neck came from," Cuong said. "Last year we also saw the insects coming at this time. They arrive every evening, swarm over the walls, tables, and lights. Some of our neighbours are also seeing these uninvited guests.”

Tran Thi Tam in Trung Hoa-Nhan Chinh Apartment Building in Thanh Xuan District also said that they are seeking measures to drive away the insects.

“I saw the first bites on my small daughter legs and found the rove beetles in our house several days ago," Tam said. "We have to close all the doors and windows, use curtains and turn down the lights in the evening. But some are still here.

A rove beetle found at the house of Tran Thi Tam in Trung Hoa-Nhan Chinh Apartment Building in Thanh Xuan District

Students at a hostel in Gia Lam District have also reported the appearance of rove beetles at their rooms.

Doctor Nguyen Tien Dung from Bach Mai Hospital said that they haven't received any patients attacked by rove beetles so far this year but warned people to pay attention as this is their season.

"Residential areas near fields or lawns, especially high-rise apartment buildings, should be careful about rove beetle, an insect that can inflict poisonous bites on humans," he said.

"People bitten by rove beetles will experience stinging blisters on open skin. Although it is not life threatening, they usually suffer a painful skin rash. They should use alcohol 70 or 90 percent, Betadine to wash the affected skin. It's better to have skin tests to get proper treatment, he added.

dtinews