Kissing bugs are a flying, bloodsucking species of insect that are part of the Triatominae subfamily in the Reduviidae family. Also known as assassin bugs, they feed on warm-blooded animals, including humans. They’re considered occasional invaders, meaning they don’t live indoors full time but may enter homes during certain times of the year. Below, we explore some key facts about kissing bugs to help you identify them and understand the risks they may pose.
These bugs have a long beak-like proboscis that they use to pierce the skin and find blood to then feed on. They are found in many places around the world, but are fond of warmer areas. Kissing bugs can be carriers of something known as Chagas Disease which is now also considered an endemic illness in the United States, with reported cases across North, South, and Central America.
Kissing bug bodies are flat and shaped like a shield. Most adult kissing bugs are about an inch long; nymphs are as little as 2mm (5/64 inch) long. The adults have two pairs of wings. They are dark brown to black and may have red markings on their back and along their wings. They have long legs and two very large antennae on their heads.
Their unique markings and body shape make them easier to tell apart from other bugs, especially when seen up close.
Key things to look out for:
Need help with how to get rid of kissing bugs? Western can help identify and treat your infestation.
Kissing bugs usually don’t gather in large numbers, so spotting them can be tricky. They often hide during the day and come out at night to feed. Still, there are a few signs that may point to their presence:
These facts about kissing bugs can help you understand where they live and what risks they pose.
Kissing bugs live in warm and even tropical areas. Although they can be transported from other parts of the world on plants and vegetables, they are native to warmer areas. They are found all over North America, but the species have also been found in Asia, Africa, and Australia. Since kissing bugs feed off the blood of vertebrates, they are found living in close proximity to them.
Outdoors, they hide in wood piles, rock crevices, brush, or under porches. They can also live in animal nests, burrows, or dog houses. When they move indoors, they look for quiet, dark spots close to people or pets. Common hiding places include under mattresses, behind headboards, or in cracks along baseboards and windows.
Kissing bugs live on blood. They are often found living in and near homes so that they have easy access to blood on which to thrive.
Kissing bugs go through incomplete metamorphosis. That means they don’t turn into a caterpillar or worm-like stage. Instead, they hatch as nymphs that already look like smaller versions of adults.
Kissing bugs go through a life cycle where they are wingless when first born. They may be as small as 2mm (5/64 inch) and will go through as many as five instars (the stages a young insect goes through as it grows and sheds its skin). As they grow, they develop wings and adult coloring. The full cycle, from egg to adult, can take several months depending on the temperature and food supply.
These bugs are nocturnal, meaning they come out mostly at night. Kissing bugs are generally found outside, but will crawl through broken screens and open windows and doors because they’re attracted to light, warm bodies and carbon dioxide. From that point they can be found anywhere inside the home.
Being warm weather insects they will prefer to be in rooms that are warm, but they can be found anywhere. You are more likely to find them if you are outdoors when they are looking to feed.
Kissing bugs can be dangerous - but this depends. Firstly, their bites might cause a mild to moderate allergic reaction. Some people may notice redness, swelling, or itching around the bite. These reactions usually go away on their own but can be uncomfortable. The main concern is that some kissing bugs may be the vector for the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which can cause Chagas disease. Not all kissing bugs carry this parasite; however, recent research has suggested that just over half of those tested were found to carry it.
When certain types of kissing bugs feed they immediately defecate. The place where the bugs have bitten causes itching and the fecal matter can end up in the bite. This is how the disease is transmitted. The illness often has no effect other than flu-like symptoms that quickly disappear. However, the disease can lay dormant for a long time and years later cause the ventricles of the heart to enlarge and lead to dangerous heart disease. The parasite can be screened via blood work and can be treatable if caught early in the acute phase.
If you think you've been bitten or found a kissing bug in your home, it's a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider.
The best way to get rid of kissing bugs is to contact a pest control company. Because these bugs are active at night and hide in hard-to-reach spots, they’re not easy to handle on your own. A trained technician can check for signs of activity, identify the insect, and recommend the right treatment for your home.
If kissing bugs keep showing up no matter what you do, there could be something more going on behind the scenes. Schedule an inspection with our Western team: we’ll help find the source of your infestation and recommend the right treatment for your home or business.
Once kissing bugs are gone, a few changes to your property can help keep them from returning. The best way to prevent kissing bugs is to make sure that windows are closed or that screens are free of holes. Make sure that doors are closed and that they have sweeps that eliminate gaps between the bottom of the door and the ground. Kissing bugs can fly, but they can also crawl and get inside that way.
Try sealing gaps around doors, windows, rooflines, and the foundation, repair any torn screens, and use yellow outdoor lighting to attract fewer insects at night. Keep firewood, brush, and rock piles away from your home’s walls, and bring pets indoors after dark.
Another tip is to bring pets indoors after dark. If your pets sleep outside, check their bedding for these bugs.
Kissing bugs are just one of many pests that can sneak into your home from time to time. If you’re dealing with pests that seem to come out of nowhere, Western is here to help. Our team knows how to find the source, treat the problem, and help reduce the chances of it happening again.
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Yes, adult kissing bugs have wings and can fly. They usually fly at night, especially when drawn to lights around homes or porches. Younger nymphs don’t have wings and can’t fly.
Kissing bugs are mostly found in the southern and western United States, including states like Texas, Arizona, and California. They live outdoors in wood piles, brush, and animal nests, but may enter homes through small gaps or cracks.
The best way to get rid of kissing bugs is to contact our pest control experts. These bugs are active at night and often hide in hard-to-reach places. A technician can inspect your home, confirm the insect, and suggest a treatment plan.
They most certainly do. Kissing bugs feed on blood. Often the person being bitten does not even feel it when it happens.
Adult kissing bugs are about 1 inch long. They have flat, oval bodies with long legs and a narrow head. Nymphs are much smaller, starting at around 2 mm (5/64 inch), and grow through several stages before reaching full size.
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