Are Kissing Bugs Harmful?

Kissing bug against a white background in Mississippi

Kissing bug against a white background in MississippiThough kissing bugs may sound cute, they’re far from it. These nocturnal insects get their charming nickname from their less-than-charming habit of biting people in the middle of the night – usually around the mouth. If it isn’t bad enough to picture bugs crawling on your face while you sleep, these pests are also capable of causing serious health issues for humans and animals. So, what exactly are kissing bugs, and how can you keep them out of your home? The experts at Southern Pest Control explain everything you need to know down below. 

What Are Kissing Bugs?

Kissing bugs, also known as assassin bugs or triatomine bugs, are small parasitic insects that feed on blood. They prey on sleeping people or animals, which is why they typically hide in bedroom furniture or pet beds. Though kissing bugs are usually solitary, females will leave eggs behind, which can cause ongoing problems for homeowners. If you discover any triatomine bugs in your house, it’s important to contact a pest control professional to screen for signs of additional insects.

How to Identify a Kissing Bug

Triatomine bugs are small insects that have thin antennae, thin legs, and a cone-shaped head. They are oval-shaped, dark in color, and usually measure between ½ to 1 inch. Their most defining feature, however, is a row of orange or yellow stripes around the edge of their body.

Why Are Kissing Bugs Dangerous?

It’s never fun to discover insects in your home, but kissing bugs are more than just bothersome. Their bites may not be particularly painful, but they can lead to infections or serious illnesses such as Chagas disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Chagas disease can be life-threatening or lead to long-term health consequences for both humans and animals. If you suspect you or a pet has been bitten by a kissing bug, watch for these early signs of Chagas disease:

  • Warmth or swelling around the bite
  • Fever, fatigue, or body aches
  • Swelling eyelids or swollen glands
  • Loss of appetite or nausea
  • Headaches

How Do Kissing Bugs Cause Chagas Disease?

Kissing bugs are known for carrying a small parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi, which lives in their digestive tract after feeding on an infected animal. The parasite isn’t spread directly through the saliva of a triatomine bug; rather, it travels through their feces. Most insects will leave behind excrement after feeding, which sleeping victims may accidentally rub into their open bite wound. 

Tips for Preventing Kissing Bugs

Triatomine bugs are unpleasant and dangerous. The best way to protect yourself and your pets from harm is to prevent these pests from getting indoors in the first place. To keep kissing bugs out of your house, follow these tips:

  • Keep your door and window screens in good condition
  • Seal any cracks or gaps that could lead into your home
  • Tidy up your landscaping and remove debris near your house
  • Keep yard lights farther away from your home entrances
  • Allow pets to sleep indoors, especially at night
  • Periodically check bedrooms and pet beds for signs of bugs

What to Do if You Discover a Kissing Bug

Kissing bugs are creepy, and they’re the last thing you want to find inside of your house. However, if you come across one of these insects, do not come into contact with the kissing bug – even to squash it. Doing so could expose you to Trypanosoma cruzi, which may put you at risk of developing Chagas disease. 

Instead of squishing the bug, place a transparent container over the bug. After sealing it in, contact a pest control professional. An expert will be able to confirm the identification and assess your home for any remaining pests. 

If you need help with a kissing bug – or any other type of pest – turn to Southern Pest Control, Inc! We understand how distressing an infestation can be, which is why our number one goal is to provide you with 100% peace of mind that your space is bug-free. As a trusted pest control provider for 45 years, Southern Pest Control is committed to being the leader in Mississippi Gulf Coast’s pest control industry. To get help fast, call us today and get a free quote!

Pest Control Company

Professional Exterminators in the Mississippi gulf coast; Southern Pest Control
Pest Control Company

A professional pest control company can provide quicker and more effective results than if you tried to handle the infestation issue yourself. Because of their experience and chemicals that may not be readily available to consumers, they can quickly implement extermination plans and efficiently eliminate all pests in a relatively short amount of time, which means your home and family are pest free much sooner than if you attempted to complete these services yourself.

Most companies can complete pest control treatment services within one to six hours, while larger problems that require fumigation can take up to a week.

The cost to hire a pest control company may even save you money over time. Finding and buying the right chemicals could cost you a great deal in expense and time. Also, the quantity sizes you may be forced to buy may be more than you would ever use.

Many pests and rodents can damage your home — destroying carpets, clothes, foundations, floors, furniture, rugs or walls. This can eventually force you to repair the damage or pay to have it fixed.

Paying a licensed professional to eradicate the pest infiltration quickly and effectively can protect your property. Also remember that a licensed professional Pest Control Company will always use environmentally safe products.

The exact price of pest control treatment depends on the type of pest, size of your property, severity of the problem and the professional you hire.

You can also contract with exterminators to proactively treat your property at periodic intervals during the year to ensure your home remains pest-free* all year long.We at Southern Pest Control have been serving the Gulf Coast region for over 39 years. Our team of professionals have all been through extensive training to ensure that we rid your home of the pest problem in a safe and professional manner.

Please visit our website at https://www.southernpestcontrol.biz/ to meet our team and learn more about the services we offer. Please call us at 800 527-9832 to set up an appointment for a free estimate.

Pest Control Company- do I need one

Housefly on counter in the Mississippi gulf coast; Southern Pest Control

pest control

 

You may be asking yourself why do I need a pest control company when I can just go to one of the DO IT Yourself Pest Control stores and buy all the insecticide I need. Well this may not be a wise decision and let me explain why.

Your Health

Beyond being creepy, pests can carry harmful diseases and hazardous bacteria that can expose your family members to illness. For instance, cockroaches carry E coli and salmonella on their bodies and can also cause or intensify health problems related to allergies and asthma.

Tick bites can cause Lyme disease, which is a dangerous condition often associated with symptoms such as rashes, severe fatigue and extreme illness.

Ants can contaminate your food, and bees or wasps can cause injuries and trigger dangerous allergic reactions.

With a professional Pest Control Company, you are assured that the problem is eliminated quickly and safely.

Identifying and Eliminating Pest

Most pest control companies can eliminate many different types of pests, including spiders, rodents and all sorts of insects — ants, bees, cockroaches, fleas, termites and wasps.

If you eliminate the pests but don’t find the source attracting them to your home, more infestations are likely. Pest control companies can determine the cause of your problem, find the specific source and eliminate it to prevent future infestation

Time

A professional pest control company can provide quicker and more effective results than if you tried to fix the infestation yourself. Because of their experience and chemicals that may not be readily available to consumers, they can quickly implement extermination plans and efficiently eliminate all pests in a relatively short amount of time.

Avoiding Damage

The cost to hire a pest control company may even save you money over time.

Many pests and rodents can damage your home — destroying carpets, clothes, foundations, floors, furniture, rugs or walls. This can eventually force you to repair the damage or pay to have it fixed.

Paying a licensed professional to eradicate the pest infiltration quickly and effectively can protect your property and help you save on additional damages to your home.

Treatment Cost

The exact price of pest control treatment depends on the type of pest, size of your property, severity of the problem. But rest assured that the cost of a professional pest control service is well worth it when you

Do I need a Pest Control Company?

Mosquito on arm in the Mississippi gulf coast; Southern Pest Control

pest control company

 

You may be asking yourself why do I need a pest control company when I can just go to one of the DO IT Yourself Pest Control stores and buy all the insectide I need. Well this may not be a wise decision and let me explain why.

Your Health

Beyond being creepy, pests can carry harmful diseases and hazardous bacteria that can expose your family members to illness. For instance, cockroaches carry E coli and salmonella on their bodies and can also cause or intensify health problems related to allergies and asthma.

Tick bites can cause Lyme disease, which is a dangerous condition often associated with symptoms such as rashes, severe fatigue and extreme illness.

Ants can contaminate your food, and bees or wasps can cause injuries and trigger dangerous allergic reactions.

With a professional Pest Control Company, you are assured that the problem is eliminated quickly and safely.

Identifying and Eliminating Pest

Most pest control companies can eliminate many different types of pests, including spiders, rodents and all sorts of insects — ants, bees, cockroaches, fleas, termites and wasps.

If you eliminate the pests but don’t find the source attracting them to your home, more infestations are likely. Pest control companies can determine the cause of your problem, find the specific source and eliminate it to prevent future infestation

Time

A professional pest control company can provide quicker and more effective results than if you tried to fix the infestation yourself. Because of their experience and chemicals that may not be readily available to consumers, they can quickly implement extermination plans and efficiently eliminate all pests in a relatively short amount of time.

Avoiding Damage

The cost to hire a pest control company may even save you money over time.

Many pests and rodents can damage your home — destroying carpets, clothes, foundations, floors, furniture, rugs or walls. This can eventually force you to repair the damage or pay to have it fixed.

Paying a licensed professional to eradicate the pest infiltration quickly and effectively can protect your property and help you save on additional damages to your home.

Treatment Cost

The exact price of pest control treatment depends on the type of pest, size of your property, severity of the problem. But rest assured that the cost of a professional pest control service is well worth it when you factor in the areas discussed above. Also when you add in your valuable time there may truly be a cost savings when hiring a professional pest control company.

We at Southern Pest Control have been in the pest control business for over 35 years. Please visit our website at www.southernpestcontrol.biz to meet our team of professional and observe all the services we offer.