Experts warn that dangerous ‘kissing bug’ in Texas could cause deadly illness for you or your pets

The year 2020 is definitely one for books. From killer hornets to aggressive rats, there is another insect that Texans need to be specifically concerned about: the “kissing bug.”

According to a report from AgriLife Today, Texas A&M entomologists have seen an increase in kissing insects, insects that carry a parasite that could cause Chagas disease, which could be fatal to humans and animals.

The researchers said they had already collected more than 300 kissing insect specimens in one place, where just last year they found only six. The collection site is located near Mission, Texas, which is approximately a four-hour drive south of San Antonio.

How to recognize a ‘kissing bug’

Kissing insects closely resemble cockroaches and are known to feed on the blood of mammals, according to a previous KSAT 12 report.

According to AgriLife experts, they are found in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America, especially during the hottest summer months. With the Texas heat at its peak this month, one of the hottest months of the year is when bugs are most active.

Kissing critters can be as long as a penny wide and their heads and mouths are cone shaped.

According to the authorities, these insects tend to feed on blood at night, when animals and people sleep. The bites are generally painless, and many don’t even realize they’ve been bitten.

Stings can become fatal if the insect is infected with a parasitic disease known as Trypanosoma cruzi and defecates on the open sting or any other open wound, according to a previous KSAT 12 report.

According to the researchers, about 50% to 60% of these insects in Texas are infected with the disease.

AgriLife officials said the insects are attracted to lights and can feed on dogs, wild mammals, birds, humans, and other insects, such as crickets.

According to Texas A&M AgriLife experts, these are the places where you are most likely to find the bugs:

• Under the porches
• Between rocky structures
• Under cement
• In rock, wood, brush, or under bark
• In rodent nests or animal burrows
• In outdoor dog houses or kennels
• In chicken coops

For more information on kissing bugs, click here.

What to know about Chagas disease

The main risk associated with these insects is that they carry Chagas disease, which could be fatal to you or your pet.

According to the AgriLife researchers, the symptoms of the disease include the following:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Body pain
• Headache
• Eruption
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Some people may experience no symptoms at all, and about 25% of people who infect with Chagas develop serious chronic diseases, the researchers said.

Still, if you have been bitten by a kissing bug, it is recommended to seek additional medical attention for further testing.

To read the full AgriLife report, click here.

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