Don’t let the cutesy name fool you—these bugs can cause serious harm.
Getting bit by anything is a shock. Sometimes it leads to an itchy bump, and other times it leads to much more serious health issues. In the case of the “kissing bug,” it could be the latter.
Kissing bugs have been found throughout the continental U.S. since 1899. To date, 11 different species of the bug have been identified in 28 states. The revelations of their dangers have sparked concern. Here’s what you need to know. Afterward, check out these 12 home remedies for bug bites that actually work.
What is a kissing bug?
Nicknamed the “kissing bug” because they tend to bite people on the face, especially near the mouth and eyes, bloodsucking triatomine bugs hide in walls and roofs during the day and emerge at night. If a person is bitten by a triatomine bug, in addition to causing general discomfort, the concern is that these bugs can carry Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease.
People can also get infected by consuming uncooked food contaminated with feces from infected kissing bugs, or through blood transfusions, organ transplants, and accidental exposure in a laboratory. Furthermore, if a pregnant mother is infected, she can pass the infection along to her baby. These are the ten most disgusting house bugs and how to get rid of them.
What is Chagas disease?
Also referred to as American trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease is an inflammatory, infectious disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which can be present in kissing bugs. It’s common in South America, Central America, and Mexico. According to the Mayo Clinic, if Chagas disease is left untreated, it can cause serious heart and digestive problems. Learn about more of the most dangerous bug and animal bites you can get.
Where are kissing bugs found?
According to the CDC, kissing bugs can live indoors, in cracks and holes of substandard housing, or in a variety of outdoor settings, including:
- Beneath porches
- Between rocky structures
- Under cement
- In rock, wood, brush piles, or beneath bark
- In rodent nests or animal burrows
- In outdoor dog houses or kennels
- In chicken coops or houses
They’re most prominent in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America (as far south as southern Argentina).
What does a kissing bug look like?
Adult kissing bugs measure between 3/4 and 1 1/4 inches in length and can be identified typically by a band around the edge of the body that’s striped with orange or red markings. They have long, thin legs, while their mouths look like large, black extensions of their heads, which also gives them the nickname “cone-nose bugs.” Here are 13 bizarre bug facts that are sure to freak you out.
How to get rid of kissing bugs
Keep kissing bugs away by sealing gaps around windows and doors. Also, be sure to fill any holes or cracks in walls or screens. You may also want to consider letting your pets sleep inside at night. Cleaning up piles of wood or rocks against your house is also suggested, and watch out for these other things in your house that are attracting pests.
What does a kissing bug bite feel like?
A kissing bug bite will likely not feel like much, and since they are only out at night, you’ll probably be asleep when you’re bitten. Most people that have been bitten say that the bites don’t hurt. Despite that, this story shows why everyone needs to take all types of animal bites more seriously.
What to do if you’ve been bitten
Because of the seriousness of a bite, which has been reported to cause heart failure, stroke, irregular heartbeat, and even sudden death, you should seek medical attention immediately. Reactions may vary, from unnoticeable to anaphylactic shock. Now, read these 15 pest control horror stories that will make your skin crawl.
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