Mosquitos, cockroaches, ants, the mind of most Alabama homeowners jumps to these common household pests. There’s another insect you should be aware of: kissing bugs. This nuisance and potential health hazard can be found in Alabama, so you should know what they are, where they hide, and when to call pest control to keep your family safe.
Identifying Kissing Bugs
The kissing bug is a common name for the Triatomine bug. It is part of the assassin bug family, but while most members of this group kill insects for food, kissing bugs prefer blood meals. As the common name implies, these bugs bite humans around the mouth and face while we sleep.
Adult kissing bugs usually:
- Are ¾ to 1 ¼ inches in length
- Have a flat, oval-shaped body
- Are dark with orange, red, or yellow markings on the edges of the body
- Have a long, pointy head with beak-like mouthparts
This distinct appearance can help you identify these insects, but some people mistake them for beetles or other species. When in doubt, always contact pest control for identification.
Habitat of Kissing Bugs
Kissing bugs are most active in hot, humid weather, which is why you’re more likely to find them in Alabama. Outdoors, you’ll find these insects in places with shelter to hide during the day. Wood piles, brush, animal burrows, and areas underneath porches are all common outdoor hiding spots. They are nocturnal, so they search for a host to bite and feed during the night.
Common indoor hiding spots include:
- Cracks in walls or the foundation
- Behind furniture or appliances
- Under mattresses and bedding
- Inside closets and attics
Kissing bugs spend the day inside the home and only come out to feed at night. This means that many homeowners are unaware they have an infestation until after they have been bitten.
Kissing Bug Dangers
Compared to other household pests, kissing bugs are especially dangerous. They have the potential to spread disease to humans and pets in the home. One disease kissing bugs can spread is Chagas disease.
People become infected in the following ways:
- The kissing bug bites the host while feeding on blood.
- The insect defecates near the bite site.
- If feces get into the open wound, mouth, or eyes, the parasite can transfer.
Symptoms of infection can include fever, fatigue, and swelling. Early on, they can seem like flu-like symptoms. Left untreated, the disease can cause more serious health problems to the heart, digestive system, and nervous system. Because of this potential, even a single kissing bug is a serious problem.
Signs of Kissing Bugs in the Home
Seeing a kissing bug inside your home is a pretty clear indication of a problem. However, there are other signs that you may have this pest around your property.
These include:
- Unexplained bites around the mouth, lips, or eyes
- Blood spots on sheets, pillowcases, or other fabrics
- Dark smears of insect feces around sleeping areas
If you do spot a kissing bug, some homeowners misidentify them as a beetle or another species. Always contact your local pest control for identification if you are unsure.
Kissing Bugs vs Other Insects
It is not surprising that people mistake kissing bugs for other insects. After all, there are many insects with a similar appearance. You can tell a kissing bug from these three insects by the following differences:
- Bed bugs are smaller, a reddish-brown color, and wingless.
- Beetles have shorter heads and chewing mouthparts, not the beak-like shape.
- Other assassin bugs usually feed on insects, not people.
Of course, you should always have your pest control professional identify the insect if you are unsure.
Kissing Bug Prevention
The best way to keep kissing bugs out of your home is to prevent them from getting inside. You can lower your risk by:
- Sealing gaps and cracks around windows, doors, and the foundation
- Repairing torn window and door screens
- Keeping wood piles, brush, and outdoor clutter away from the home
- Cleaning around animal housing such as chicken coops or kennels
- Using outdoor lighting with care—lights attract insects at night
It is important to note that these prevention tips will not keep all kissing bugs away. However, they make it much less likely that these insects will be attracted to your home in the first place.
Why Professional Pest Control Is Important
Even with these preventive steps, kissing bugs can find their way into the home. These insects are a unique problem because they can spread disease. Because of this, store-bought sprays or DIY treatments are not enough. The methods used by homeowners often do not reach into the insect’s hiding places, and even after treatment, the problem may continue.
Here is what our pest control in Birmingham includes:
- Inspecting your home to locate kissing bug hiding spots
- Treatment to ensure the insects are killed and gone
- Sealing any points of entry
- Monitoring your property for future issues
This combined approach gives you both short-term relief and long-term protection.
Steel City Pest Difference
If you are worried about kissing bugs around your property, let the experts at Steel City Pest take care of your pest control needs. Our technicians have the professional training and tools necessary to get the job done right and keep your family safe. We have years of experience with kissing bugs and other Alabama pests. We use treatments that are both effective and environmentally conscious to kill these pests while using as few chemicals as possible. We also offer year-round pest control to keep your property safe.
When to Call a Professional
If you have found a kissing bug on your property, it is time to contact a pest control professional. Do not wait and hope the problem goes away, because these insects can be a serious health risk. When you call Steel City Pest, we will send a technician to your property for a free inspection. They will determine if you have kissing bugs, if you are at risk, and how we can best protect you.
Final Words
Kissing bugs may not be as well-known to Alabama homeowners as mosquitoes and ants, but they are a much more serious issue. By understanding how to identify them, knowing the potential risks, and contacting a pest control company, you can protect your home and family.
If you are concerned about kissing bugs around your property, trust the professionals at Steel City Pest for reliable and effective pest control. We can help you stop these pests before they become a bigger problem with expert knowledge and prevention strategies.
