Kissing bugs got their name early in the twentieth century. There was a scare that these bugs would bite people on the mouth while they were sleeping. The fact is that these bugs feed on blood from many mammals. They do bite people and sometimes the bites are on the victim’s face.

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Another common name for kissing bugs is conenose bugs. This name comes from the cone-shape of their head. They are also called Triatoma bugs because most of them belong to the insect genus named Triatoma.

There are several species of kissing bugs. Two of the most common are the bloodsucking conenose bug, Triatoma sanguisuga (LeConte), and the western bloodsucking conenose bug, Triatoma protracta (Uhler). These bugs can be between ½” and 1” long. They are dark-colored, usually brown or black. Some species have red, yellow, or tan markings on the abdomen.  They are found in many states across the country.

Kissing bugs, or conenose bugs, are common predators of animals like raccoons, opossums, and wood rats. The female bug lays eggs in the spring. The immature bugs (nymphs) need a blood meal every time they shed their skin and grow larger. The insects feed at night.

Conenose bugs sometimes invade homes, especially in suburban and rural areas. Most people who have been bitten by these bugs were not aware of the bite and had little or no reaction. A small percent of people have an allergic reaction to the saliva of the bugs. These sensitive people have experienced itching, swelling, and other allergic symptoms.

Conenose bugs can be medically important.  They can carry the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas. The insect’s feces contain the protozoa. The bugs defecate while they feed or soon afterwards. If the person rubs the feces into a break in the skin, he or she could become infected. Scratching the insect bite can introduce the feces into the body. The disease is called Chagas disease or American trypanosomiasis. There have been very few cases of Chagas disease in the United States. Reports of Chagas disease in Mexico or Central America cause concern in the southwestern United States.

There are several steps in preventing kissing bugs. The first step is to keep them from entering the home.  Make sure that exterior doors close tightly. Replace missing or damaged weather-stripping. Repair any damaged screens on all windows, crawlspace vents, and attic vents. Caulk around openings for utility lines, plumbing pipes, and cables. Repair cracks in the foundation that would allow insects to enter.

Remove any nests of squirrels or other wild animals. Move firewood piles away from the house. Change porch lights to “bug light” bulbs. Check pet bedding often. Inspect pets to be sure they do not have these bugs in their fur.

Insecticide applications on the outside can help keep kissing bugs from entering the home. Your local pest control professional can select liquid or granular insecticides according to the situation.