First of all, let’s clarify why the kissing bugs are dangerous:
- They are exclusive vectors of the Chagas disease.
- Their bites are more likely to lead to anaphylactic shock in the US than other insects’ bites.
- Chagas disease is curable only at the very early (acute) stage, after that it cannot be treated.
How deadly are 'kissing bugs'?
“Most individuals report that kissing bug bites do not hurt,” notes AAA Pest Control. Because of the seriousness of a bite, which has been reported to cause heart failure, stroke, irregular heart beat or sudden death, you should seek medical attention immediately.
What is a deadly kissing bug?
What is the deadly "kissing bug?" Chagas disease is caused by the bite of a triatomine bug, also known as a "kissing bug." The bug carries a parasite that eventually destroys a person's heart and digestive system. Transmissions can occur rom blood transfusions, organ donations and mother to baby during pregnancy.
Is an assassin bug the same as a kissing bug?
The kissing bug belongs to the Reduviidae family of insects. This family is also referred to as assassin bugs. It can carry a parasite that causes kissing bug disease in its fecal matter. We call them kissing bugs because when they bite humans, they usually do so around the face and mouth.
Is the Kissing Bug a cause for concern?
Triatomine bugs — also known as “kissing bugs” — can carry the parasite that causes Chagas disease, a condition that can lead to severe heart and gastrointestinal complications.
What happens if you kiss a bug?
Symptoms include sudden difficulty breathing, throat swelling, a fast heart rate, and dangerously low blood pressure. If you begin experiencing an anaphylactic reaction, hightail it to the ER or call 911.
Why are kissing bugs so cute?
Kissing bugs aren’t as cute as their name suggests. They can carry a dangerous parasite that causes Chagas disease, a condition that needs to be treated right away to avoid potentially lifelong organ damage.
What parasites do kissing bugs carry?
Kissing bugs can also carry Trypanosoma cruzi, a parasite they pick up when they feed on animals and people who have it. The parasite lives in the bugs’ urine and feces. If the contaminated feces finds its way inside your body, you’ll develop an infection called Chagas disease. (Handwashing FTW!) Share on Pinterest.
How to tell if a kissing bug is a wheel bug?
Look for these key characteristics to identify a kissing bug: 0.5 inch to 1 inch long. a light brown to black body that may have red, tan, or yellow markings. a long, oval-shaped body.
How to get rid of kissing bug?
If you live in the land of the kissing bug, you may also consider: getting rid of any debris within 20 feet of your house. using bleach or insecticidal solution to clean surfaces.
What is the difference between bite marks?
The biggest difference is that there are usually several bite marks clustered in a single spot. Some people may experience a mild reaction, like itching, swelling, or redness. Others may have a more severe allergic reaction (more on that later).
Where are Chagas bugs found?
a dilated, enlarged heart. Chagas disease is most commonly found in South America, Central America, and Mexico, where an estimated 8 million people have the disease. Kissing bugs can be found in the southern United States, but despite Southern hospitality, these genteel bugs only rarely carry the Chagas-causing parasite.
What is the disease of kissing bugs?
If feces containing this parasite get inside your body, you become infected. The infection is called Chagas disease . Kissing bugs are nocturnal. This means they come out at night to feed. Usually the person is sleeping, and the bite doesn’t hurt.
How to prevent kissing bugs?
These materials are often used to build homes in the endemic areas of Mexico, South America, and Latin America. If you visit these areas, try to avoid sleeping in structures made of these materials.
What does a kissing bug bite look like?
The bite looks like any other bug bite except there’s usually a cluster of bites together in one spot. People who are sensitive to the bug’s saliva, may experience a reaction to the bite. This is usually only mild itching, redness, and swelling, but occasionally, a kissing bug bite causes a severe allergic reaction.
Why do people call kissing bugs?
Their insect name is triatomines, but people call them “kissing bugs” for a rather unpleasant reason — they tend to bite people on the face. Kissing bugs carry a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi. They pick up this parasite by feeding on an infected person or animal. The parasite then lives in the kissing bug’s intestines and feces.
How long does it take for a bug to bite?
Kissing bugs bite by injecting saliva that has an anesthetic property into the skin. It typically takes between 20 and 30 minutes for a bug to feed. The bug may bite anywhere from 2 to 15 times. Typically, the bug will bite a person on their face.
What happens if you are allergic to a kissing bug?
In rare cases, a person who’s allergic to the kissing bug’s saliva can have a severe allergic reaction after being bitten. This reaction is known as anaphylaxis.
Where to see a doctor for insect bites?
When to see a doctor. You should see a doctor if you: live in the southern half of the United States, Central America, Mexico, or South America and have clustered insect bites on your body, especially your face. have seen kissing bugs in your home (see photos below)
Where do kissing bugs live?
Kissing bugs are blood-feeding insects that live in the southern and western United States, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. They don’t kiss. But they might bite you, probably while you sleep.
Why are kissing bugs called kissing bugs?
Kissing bugs are so named because they like to bite around the mouth or eyes. You’ll often see 2-15 bite marks in one area and maybe redness and swelling. It might be hard to tell them apart from other bug bites, minor skin irritations, or infections.
How to tell if a bug bite came from a mattress?
It can be hard to know where the bite came from, especially if the bug is gone when you wake up. You could check under your nightstand or your mattress. Scoop up any bugs you find into a container with gloved hands and clean the area the bug touched with bleach.
What does it feel like to get a kissing bug bite?
If you’re in an area where Chagas disease is a serious health concern and you get a kissing bug bite, see your doctor if: You feel like you have a flu with a fever, nausea, or tiredness. Your eyelids are swollen. The bite looks infected (it’s red, painful, and swollen)
How big are kissing bugs?
They’re usually ½- to 1-inch-long, about the size of a penny. They’re also called cone-nosed bugs, bloodsuckers, cinches, and triatomine bugs. Like mosquitoes and ticks, kissing bugs need blood to live. They usually suck it from animals, including dogs, but sometimes they bite people.
How to keep Chagas disease away from my house?
If you’ve noticed them in your home or live in an area with Chagas disease, you can take steps to keep them away: Seal cracks and gaps in your home to keep bugs out. Put screens in your windows and patch any holes. Keep chicken coops and other animal cages away from your home.
Can kissing bugs cause heart problems?
In most people, that causes mild or no symptoms. But in some, the infection can lead to serious, long-term heart problems or disease in the intestines. Chagas disease from a kissing bug is very rare in humans in the U.S.
Why are there kissing bugs?
A major reason these insects are called “kissing bugs” is because they tend to bite around the mouth and eye region while you sleep which is definitely pretty creepy (literally). Imagine waking up to an insect perched on your face, I would absolutely loose it!
Where do kissing bugs live and are you at risk of being bitten?
Importantly, kissing bugs (that transmit the disease) are commonly found in South and Central America (even as far down as Argentina). Mexico has also had a number of these pests in the country which also puts a nearby of US states at risk as well, especially in Texas as it’s near the border.
How would a kissing bug hunt you down?
Firstly, these bugs need to find their way into your home. They are usually attracted by lights and the possibility of warmth and shelter from the elements . While it’s not practical to completely seal up your home to keep these pests out, you can make it more difficult for them to get in by caulking (sealing up) cracks, etc.
What do kissing bugs look like and can they fly?
Kissing bugs are slightly smaller than an inch and are completely flat, unless they have recently had a meal of blood. If they have just eaten, they will swell up quite significantly and are easy to catch. As you can see in the picture, these pests are dark brown or mostly black and usually have orange (sometimes even red) markings around the abdomen. These insects also have a rather extended mouthpiece (that they use for feeding) in comparison to the rest of their species.
Where do kissing bugs hide in a home and what are their feeding habits?
These insects are known to start craving blood as the sun starts to go down and are commonly found actively seeking their next meal during this time. While they are not out looking for dinner, kissing bugs can hide themselves in places that are either sheltered or near their primary source of food, like:
Why are kissing bugs called kissing bugs?
A major reason these insects are called “kissing bugs” is because they tend to bite around ...
How to stop a bug bite from swelling?
Here are a few pointers that The Bug Squad recommends: Place ice or any cold pack on the affected region to reduce swelling. Use an antibacterial soap and wash the bite area with warm water. Reduce itchiness by using calamine cream or sometime similar.
How to Get Rid of Kissing Bugs?
Unfortunately, this isn’t a simple question. In South America, which is a huge infection hotbed, people use insecticides, but in the States only preventive methods are effective, as it is not the “domestic” kind of kissing bugs that attacks there, but a sylvatic one. Risk factors for any homeowner include having any pets in the house, which are allowed outside, as well as having chicken coops near the house and other household buildings.
How long does Chagas disease last?
In the worst-case scenario you’ll end up having Chagas disease first in its acute stage, and then it will become chronic. The most obvious symptom of the acute stage of Chagas disease is strong purplish swelling of the eyelids or lips. After that you’ll feel general fatigue, fever, appetite loss and diarrhea. In severe cases, acute heart failure develops, which may result in death. In another scenario, the unpleasant symptoms of the disease disappear completely after 1-2 months even without treatment, and the patients believe they are healthy. Such thought is a lethal mistake. Chagas disease becomes chronic and may develop for up to 10-20 years. During this time the patients are faced with serious complications of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract and other organ systems. These complications eventually lead to death.
Can kissing bugs cause anaphylaxis?
Kissing bugs bites can even become the reason for such an acute type of allergy asanaphylactic shock. The experts from the Department of Biological Sciences of Emporia State University claim that kissing bug bites are the most common cause of insect bites that result in anaphylaxis in the United States. Note that it is the bites that we are discussing here, as the allergy develops with the help of dangerous proteins injected by the bugs while sucking human blood.
What is the kissing bug?
April 26, 2019 -- The CDC's recent report about a “ kissing bug ” identified in Delaware for the first time has sparked concerns as the potentially deadly bug marches its way north from Latin America through the Carolinas and beyond. Kissing bugs carry a parasite that causes Chagas disease, which can lead to serious heart and stomach problems.
Where are kissing bugs found?
And 28 states have reported them, the Texas A&M research team says. The bugs are also typically found in Mexico, Central America, and South America.
What is the CDC's report about the kissing bug?
April 26, 2019 -- The CDC's recent report about a “kissing bug” identified in Delaware for the first time has sparked concerns as the potentially deadly bug marches its way north from Latin America through the Carolinas and beyond. Kissing bugs carry a parasitethat causes Chagas disease, which can lead to serious heartand stomach problems.
What color are black bugs?
Identifying the bugs isn't simple, since there are a lot of look-alikes. Most species in the U.S. are mainly black or very dark brown, Curtis-Robles says. They have red, orange, or yellow “stripes” around their edges, thin antennae, and legs and a cone-shaped head.
What is the worm that is under your skin?
This worm is a parasite that spreads through deer-fly bites. It burrows into your skin and causes itchy areas around your joints called Calabar swellings. It also leads to an infection called loiasis, or African eye worm. You may even see the worm as it crawls across the surface of your eye or under your skin.
Can a bug cause a parasite?
It’s not the bug itself that causes the disease, but a parasite it may carry.
What is the CDC describing the spreading of the kissing bug?
CDC confirms dangerous 'kissing bug' spreading north again. A Delaware girl was bitten on the face by the bloodsucking insect that is usually found in southern areas. Bloodsucking insects known as "kissing bugs," because of their tendency to bite people around the mouth, are spreading across the country after working their way north ...
Why are blood sucking bugs spreading?
Bloodsucking insects known as "kissing bugs," because of their tendency to bite people around the mouth, are spreading across the country after working their way north from South America.
How do bugs spread Chagas disease?
The bugs can spread a parasite that causes Chagas' disease through its feces. The disease can be spread when the bug "poops on or near a person while it is feeding on (their) blood, usually when the person is sleeping," according to the CDC. Transmission occurs "when poop is accidentally rubbed into the bite wound or into a mucous membrane ...
When was the Delaware bug case reported?
The case was reported in July 2018 when a Delaware family requested help from state health and agriculture officials to identify the insect that bit the girl on the face as she watched television in her bedroom.
Did the girl who was bitten in 2018 suffer any health effects?
The girl who was bitten in 2018 did not suffer any health effects, according to the CDC.
Is Chagas' disease dangerous?
The disease can be dangerous, but chances of contracting it are low, according to the agency. This map details where triatomine "kissing" bugs have been found in the United States. CDC. In the early phase of Chagas' disease, a person may have no symptoms or mild ones, including fever, fatigue, body aches, headache, rash, loss of appetite, ...
