Assassin bugs — also known as kissing bugs — are deadly insects that spread the parasitic chagas disease. Just like mosquitoes, they suck blood to survive. This article will focus on the top 10 things you probably don’t know about these deadly bugs.
Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Assassin Bugs
- They stick to the warmer climates. They can be found mainly in the southern parts of the United States, but have been spotted in Asia, Africa, and Australia as well.
- Chagas disease is contracted by the kissing bugs leaving their feces behind after biting someone.
- If chagas disease reaches the chronic stage, doctors can’t treat it. If it hasn’t yet reached the advanced stage, though, doctors can treat it with antiparasitic medication.
- Assassin bugs are also called kissing bugs because they bite people around the mouth and eyes.
- Adult kissing bugs can be as long as 1 1/4 inches in length, and they can be identified by the orange (or red) and black stripes around their torsos. They don’t have wings.
- Another nickname for the insect is “cone-nose bug.” They got the nickname because of their cone-shaped mouths.
- There are 11 species of the bugs in North America. The most common species live in the southern part of the U.S. Their species name is Triatoma sanguisuga.
- They are part of the Reduviidae family of insects.
- The bite of an assassin bug can swell up and itch. Symptoms of chagas disease include intense fever, headaches and swollen lymph nodes, with the advanced stages causing even more symptoms to occur.
- There are measures that can be taken to prevent these bugs from entering your home. Calling a pest control service is the best way to prevent their entry.
Safeguarding your family and home from unwanted pests like assassin bugs is critical, especially if you live in the southern part of the United States. If you live in the Houston area and are interested in preventive pest control for your home, we can help. We can spray a specialized pest control product and put up other preventative measures to make sure that your home stays as pest-free as possible. Call us today at 713-983-0869 to discuss your Assassin Bug Control options or to schedule an appointment.
Photo: Reduviidae — Assassin Bug Family by gailhampshire used under CC BY 2.0/ resized from original