Do Kissing Bugs Bite? Are They Dangerous?
Short answer: the kissing bug can cause medically significant bites, stings or disease. Kissing bugs can carry the parasite that causes Chagas disease; save the bug and contact your health department if you are bitten.
Risk rating: Health risk
Kissing bugs can carry the parasite that causes Chagas disease; save the bug and contact your health department if you are bitten.
Are kissing bugs dangerous to humans?
Kissing bugs can carry the parasite that causes Chagas disease; save the bug and contact your health department if you are bitten.
On our four-level scale, the kissing bug is rated health risk, meaning it can cause medically significant bites, stings or disease. Kissing Bugs can bite, so it is worth handling them with care.
Are they dangerous to pets?
Kissing Bugs can bite or sting curious pets that paw at them or try to eat them. Watch for swelling, drooling or limping, and call your veterinarian right away if your pet has trouble breathing or a large reaction.
Can they damage your home or garden?
Kissing Bugs don't damage the structure of your home, but they can contaminate surfaces or become a nuisance indoors.
What to do if you are bitten
- Wash the area with soap and water.
- Apply a cool compress to reduce swelling.
- Use an over-the-counter antihistamine or hydrocortisone cream for itching, following the label.
- Avoid scratching, which can lead to infection.
Call 911 right away if someone has trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, dizziness or a racing heartbeat after a bite or sting.
Kissing bugs can carry the parasite that causes Chagas disease; save the bug and contact your health department if you are bitten.
How to identify kissing bugs
A cone-nosed assassin bug with orange-red markings around the edge of its flat abdomen. It feeds on the blood of animals and people, sometimes biting near the face at night.
- Elongated, cone-shaped head
- Flat black body with red or orange bands around the edge
- Found near animal nests, dog houses and under porches
| Scientific name | Triatoma sanguisuga |
|---|---|
| Group | True Bugs |
| Size | 15–25 mm (up to about 0.98 in) |
| Colors | Black, Red and Orange |
| Legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | Yes |
| Where found | Bedroom or bed and Yard or patio |
| Most active | Summer |
| Bites | Yes |
| Stings | No |
| Risk level | Health risk |
When you'll see kissing bugs
Kissing Bugs are most active in summer. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly.
Typical places to check: bedroom or bed and yard or patio.
About true bugs
The kissing bug is one of the true bugs. True bugs have piercing, straw-like mouthparts used to suck plant sap or, in a few species, blood. They develop through gradual metamorphosis: nymphs look like small, wingless adults and molt several times as they grow. Many release strong odors from scent glands when threatened.
Because nymphs look like adults, you'll often see mixed sizes of the same bug together, which is a good sign that a population is breeding nearby.
How to avoid problems with kissing bugs
- Seal cracks and gaps and keep screens in good repair
- Move woodpiles, rock piles and pet bedding away from the house
- Clear rodent nests near the home, a major blood source
Frequently asked questions
Do kissing bugs bite?
Yes. Kissing bugs can carry the parasite that causes Chagas disease; save the bug and contact your health department if you are bitten.
Do kissing bugs sting?
No, kissing bugs do not sting.
Are kissing bugs poisonous?
The kissing bug can cause medically significant bites, stings or disease. Kissing bugs can carry the parasite that causes Chagas disease; save the bug and contact your health department if you are bitten.
Where do kissing bugs live?
Kissing Bugs are usually found in bedrooms and beds and in yards and on patios, and are most active in summer.