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15 Feb ’12
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well that is comforting
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a potentially deadly insect known as the "kissing bug" has made its way into every southern state, impacting more than half of the United States.
There have been reports of it in California as well, according to CDC, which noted four of the 11 different species of the bug -- also known as triatomines -- have been spotted in the state.
The bug typically feeds on the blood of mammals, including humans and pets, biting them in the lip area.
If the bug is infected with parasites and defecates in the wound, it can lead to Chagas disease, which can be fatal if not treated. However, transmission of the disease between bug and human is "not easy," according to CDC.
26 Nov ’15
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We had this bug 'pop' into our lives when we lived - remotely! - in central California. My brother in Tuscon filled us in on it and besides a few bites now and then (aminly summer time), it seemed to go as mysteriously as it arrived. However we seem to be dealing with it again! It mainly is active at night when one is asleep and must have an anesthesia like ability for one's skin because you never feel it (much like a mosquito). Need to know more about its life cycle and habitation requirements.
My personal motto - The Home, a peace worth fighting for.
15 Feb ’12
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found this on the cdc
Where are triatomine bugs typically found?
Triatomine bugs (also called reduviid bugs, "kissing" bugs, assassin bugs, cone-nosed bugs, and blood suckers) can live indoors, in cracks and holes of substandard housing, or in a variety of outdoor settings including:
- Beneath porches
- Between rocky structures
- Under cement
- In rock, wood, brush piles, or beneath bark
- In rodent nests or animal burrows
- In outdoor dog houses or kennels
- In chicken coops or houses
How can I keep triatomine bugs away from my home?
Synthetic pyrethroid sprays have been used successfully in Latin America to eliminate house infestations. Although similar chemicals are available in the United States, none have been specifically approved for use against triatomine bugs. A licensed pest control operator should be consulted if considering the use of insecticides. Please note that roach hotels or other "bait" formulations do not work against triatomine bugs. Long lasting insecticide treated bednets and curtains have been shown to kill these bugs.
Other precautions to prevent house infestation include:
- Sealing cracks and gaps around windows, walls, roofs, and doors
- Removing wood, brush, and rock piles near your house
- Using screens on doors and windows and repairing any holes or tears
- If possible, making sure yard lights are not close to your house (lights can attract the bugs)
- Sealing holes and cracks leading to the attic, crawl spaces below the house, and to the outside
- Having pets sleep indoors, especially at night
- Keeping your house and any outdoor pet resting areas clean, in addition to periodically checking both areas for the presence of bugs
The following users say thank you to K for this useful post:
Jain
12 Oct ’12
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Well gosh that doesn't give me the warm and fuzzys.
15 Feb ’12
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gives me the creeps just thinking about them
28 Feb ’12
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sounds gross
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