Kissing bugs, also known as triatomine bugs, are blood-feeding insects. Their common name originates from their tendency to bite humans around the face, often near the mouth or eyes, while a person is sleeping. These nocturnal insects are a concern because some species can carry a parasite that causes a serious illness.
Are Kissing Bugs Found in Illinois?
Kissing bugs are found in the United States, primarily across the southern states. While more prevalent in warmer regions like Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, sightings have been reported in other states, including Illinois. These occurrences are often isolated, rather than indicating widespread populations throughout the state.
Specific data on their distribution within Illinois can be limited, but their presence suggests that they can adapt to various environments. State health departments and university entomology resources track these sightings to monitor their spread. While not considered endemic to Illinois, their occasional appearance means residents should be aware.
Recognizing Kissing Bugs
Identifying kissing bugs is important to differentiate them from other common insects. Adult kissing bugs typically measure between 0.5 and 1.5 inches long, roughly the size of a U.S. penny or quarter. They have a dark brown or black body, often featuring distinctive orange or red stripes or markings along the edge of their abdomen.
Their cone-shaped head and a straight, needle-like mouthpart that tucks underneath their body are key identifying features. Immature kissing bugs, called nymphs, are smaller, wingless, and can range from poppy seed size to nearly an inch long.
Understanding Chagas Disease
Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a parasitic infection caused by the organism Trypanosoma cruzi. Kissing bugs transmit this parasite not directly through their bite, but through their feces. After feeding, an infected bug may defecate near the bite site, and the parasites enter the body if the feces are accidentally rubbed into a wound, eyes, or mouth.
The disease progresses through two main phases: acute and chronic. The acute phase often presents with mild or no symptoms, though some individuals may experience fever, headache, body aches, or swelling at the bite site. Without early diagnosis and treatment, the infection can enter a chronic phase, where the parasites hide primarily in the heart and digestive muscles. Infected individuals may later develop serious complications, including cardiac disorders like irregular heartbeat, heart failure, or sudden death, and digestive issues such as an enlarged esophagus or colon. Not all kissing bugs carry the parasite, and not every bite leads to transmission.
What to Do After an Encounter
If you find a bug you suspect is a kissing bug in your home, handle it carefully without direct skin contact. Use a glove or small plastic bag to collect the bug, placing it in a sealed container. Freezing the bug for a few hours can kill it while preserving it for identification.
After collecting the bug, contact your local public health department or a university extension service. They can provide identification services and guidance on whether testing for the parasite is recommended. If you believe you have been bitten or have concerns about potential exposure to Chagas disease, seek medical evaluation. A medical professional can assess your symptoms and determine if testing for the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite is necessary.
Protecting Your Home
Proactive steps can reduce the likelihood of kissing bugs entering your home. Sealing cracks and gaps in your home’s foundation, walls, and around utility lines can prevent entry points. Repairing or installing screens on windows and doors creates a barrier against these insects.
Kissing bugs are attracted to light, so turning off outdoor lights at night can help deter them. Maintaining a tidy yard by removing woodpiles, rock piles, and debris away from the house can reduce potential habitats for the bugs and their wildlife hosts. Keeping pets indoors at night can also reduce their exposure.