What is the actual size of a kissing bug?
Adult kissing bugs are about 1/2 to 1 inch long. Kissing bugs hatch from small eggs and go through five juvenile (nymphal) stages before they become adults. Some kinds of kissing bugs can live up to two years. Size comparison of a kissing bug with a U.S. penny.
Is the kissing bug real?
Kissing bugs are insects that may be infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease. People also call them cone-nose bugs or chinches. Kissing bugs feed on blood from people and other animals. Kissing bugs are mostly active during the night.
Are kissing bugs harmful to humans?
Are They Harmful? Most of the time, kissing bug bites are harmless. But they sometimes can cause two kinds of problems: Allergic Reactions.
What states is the kissing bug found in?
Most of the world’s kissing bugs are in Central and South America and Mexico. They’ve also been found in the United States in the lower 28 states, with higher concentrations in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. Kissing bugs have been spotted a far north as Delaware, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Is there a cure for the kissing bug?
Seek treatment early if you think a kissing bug has bitten you, because there’s no cure for Chagas disease once it becomes chronic.
Is a kissing bug the same as a stink bug?
These bugs feed on the blood of animals and humans, and tend to bite human faces. Kissing bugs look similar to stink bugs, but stink bugs are typically smaller and lack the red, orange, or yellow stripes of color that you can see on kissing bugs.
Do all kissing bugs carry disease?
Kissing bugs can carry the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which can cause Chagas disease. It’s important to know that not all kissing bugs are infected with the parasite, and the likelihood of contracting Chagas disease is low.
What to do if you get bitten by a kissing bug?
How can you treat kissing bug bites?
- Wash the bites with soap to lower the chance of infection.
- Use calamine lotion or an anti-itch cream to stop the itching.
- Use an ice pack to stop the swelling.
- See your doctor if you think the bite may be infected.