Nashville, Murfreesboro, Knoxville and Chattanooga TN
The kissing bug is a vector insect that carries a parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) and it is known to cause Chagas disease in humans and animals when bitten. These insects are found in Central and South America, Mexico, and 48 states in the U.S. These nocturnal blood-sucking insects tend to bite people on their faces while they sleep. But in our area of Middle Tennessee, bedbugs and mosquitos also bite humans, leaving markings on their skin. However, the kissing bug is known to spread a dangerous disease to humans and pets and it’s important to understand how to prevent these insects from entering your home and what to do if you spot them inside. So, today on the blog, learn more about the kissing bug and why you should be concerned about this insect.
What does the kissing bug look like?
There are roughly 10 species of kissing bugs, which range in size less than 1-inch or 25 mm long and have an oval shaped body, usually brown in color but can appear black. A notorious marking on the kissing bug are orange stripes along the outer edge of its back. Kissing bugs are often misidentified as box elder bugs, which look similar in size and shape, although the back legs of a box elder bug are noticeably longer than their other four legs, compared to a kissing bug in which their back legs appear roughly the same or near the same length as their other legs.
Habitat
Kissing bugs prefer to live outdoors underneath structures like porches, rocks, or undisturbed areas, although they can make their way indoors through various entry points of a home. Indoors, kissing bugs may be found hiding in cracks or openings in walls or floors, inside furniture, beds, and particularly underneath mattresses, since they feed on blood. These insects may be transported indoors by hitchhiking on firewood or squeeze through cracks and crevices like around plumbing and electrical entry points, crawlspace vents, attic vents, damaged screens, or worn window and door trim. Therefore, we recommend that you inspect your home, crawlspace, and attic routinely to ensure there are no entry points for pests.
The Danger of Kissing Bugs
Kissing bugs pose a serious health danger to people and pets. When they bite, their saliva mixes with your blood, and they can transmit the T. cruzi parasite with just one bite. Studies show that approximately half of all kissing bugs carry the T. cruzi parasite, which means that protecting yourself and your family is a must.
In dogs, the T. cruzi parasite transmitted by the kissing bug can cause heart disease. And because a dog infected with T. cruzi may appear asymptomatic, meaning show no signs or symptoms of sickness, the parasite could threaten your pet’s life without you even realizing it. Unfortunately, there are not many treatments available to treat T. cruzi in pets. Consult with your veterinarian about proactive ways to protect your pet against T. cruzi and other blood borne diseases that could result in poor health or immediate death.
Protection Against Kissing Bugs
One of the best ways to protect you, your family, and your pets against the dangers of the kissing bug is to have year-round pest control treatments. Ameri Care offers quarterly pest control treatments to help reduce the number of bugs, spiders, and other common pests, including the kissing bug, from entering your home. In additional to pest treatments, you should also ensure you do not have any openings or cracks around the exterior or foundation of your home, keep porch lights off as often as possible, and maintain a clean and clutter-free home so that pests have no access to food or hiding spots.
Pest Control in Murfreesboro, Hermitage, and Nashville, Tennessee
While many common household pests don’t pose much threat to humans or animals, some do as they can spread dangerous diseases that could become life-threatening. Therefore, protect yourself, pets, and the rest of your family with quarterly pest control treatments offered by Ameri Care. To learn more or get started with routine pest treatments, call (615) 893-7111.