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.
How do you know if you’ve been bitten by a kissing bug?
Bite Marks 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.
What does the kissing bug do to humans?
“Kissing bug” is the common name for a species of bug called triatomines. The bugs get their common name because they tend to leave bite marks on the face. The main risk associated with kissing bugs is the presence of a parasite in their feces, which can cause Chagas disease in the people it infects.
How do kissing bugs get in your house?
Kissing bugs can enter your home through: Crawl spaces. Exposed cracks. Gaps around patio doors.
Is Chagas curable?
Chagas disease is curable if treated soon after infection. Unfortunately, most infected people are unaware of their infection until it’s too late, and they present with complications of chronic heart or bowel problems.
Is Chagas disease fatal?
It is estimated that as many as 8 million people in Mexico, Central America, and South America have Chagas disease, most of whom do not know they are infected. If untreated, infection is lifelong and can be life threatening.
Can Chagas be cured?
Treatment. To kill the parasite, Chagas disease can be treated with benznidazole or nifurtimox. Both medicines are nearly 100% effective in curing the disease if given soon after infection at the onset of the acute phase, including the cases of congenital transmission.
Does Chagas disease go away?
cruzi infection) is also referred to as American trypanosomiasis. It is estimated that as many as 8 million people in Mexico, Central America, and South America have Chagas disease, most of whom do not know they are infected. If untreated, infection is lifelong and can be life threatening.
How do you exterminate kissing bugs?
Tips for How to Get Rid of Kissing Bugs Change porch light bulbs to yellow light bulbs designed to avoid attracting insects. Move any wood or debris piles away from the house. Use an insecticide spray with pyrethroid to control an infestation.
Do kissing bugs fly or crawl?
Kissing bugs can fly, but they can also crawl and get inside that way.
Should I get tested for Chagas?
A specific test is necessary for the diagnosis of Chagas disease. The test detects the presence of the infection through analysis of a blood sample. Anyone who suspects that they may have Chagas disease should ask their doctor to order this test.
Should I be worried about Chagas disease?
Left untreated, Chagas disease later can cause serious heart and digestive problems. During the acute phase of infection, treatment of Chagas disease focuses on killing the parasite. In people who have chronic Chagas disease, it’s no longer possible to kill the parasite.
How and why you should prevent a kissing bug infestation?
Seal cracks and crevices around windows,walls,doors,the roof,and attic
What kills the kissing bug?
Kissing bugs can fly, but they can also crawl and get inside that way. Homeowners can get rid of kissing bugs using liquid residual pesticides, baits or dusts.
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.
Is kissing bug bite dangerous or not?
Kissing bugs are one of many feared insects due to the potential of disease. The bite itself isn’t much different from a mosquito bite and is not, in itself, dangerous. However, there is a small chance of contracting Chagas disease from a kissing bug bite. The Chagas parasite is carried in the feces of the kissing bug, not in the saliva.