Kissing bugs are a pop in of insect that can cause a lot of damage to your health.
They are so-called because they like to bite people on the lips and face.
While there are many different types of kissing bugs, they all share some common characteristics.
We will also provide some tips on what to do if you are bitten by one of these pests.
Kissing bugs are small, bloodsucking insects that are members of the reduviid bug family.
Kissing bugs can also transmit a serious disease called Chagas disease.
In the United States, kissing bugs are found primarily in the southern and southwestern states.
Kissing bugs are attracted to humans and animals because they feed on blood.
Once inside, kissing bugs will bite their victims around the face, often near the eyes or mouth.
Symptoms include fever, fatigue, body aches, rash, and swelling at the site of the bite.
What do kissing bugs look like?
Kissing bugs are small, flat, winged insects that are about 14 to 12 an inch long.
They can be black, brown, or reddish-brown in color and have a triangular-shaped head.
Kissing bugs are most active at night.
They often enter homes through cracks and crevices in the walls or around doors and windows.
At night, they come out to feed on the blood of sleeping humans.
They usually bite people on the face, often near the eyes or mouth.
After feeding, they defecate on the persons skin.
The bugs can also transmit a serious disease called Chagas disease.
Do kissing bugs fly?
This is a question that we get asked frequently.
While most people know thatbed bugscan fly, many are surprised to learn that kissing bugs can too!
They are often seen flying around lights at night, which is how they got their name.
Are kissing bugs related to assassin bugs?
There is some debate on whether kissing bugs are related to assassin bugs or not.
Some experts believe that they are closely related, while others believe that they are not as closely related.
Kissing bugs get their name from their habit of biting people around the mouth.
This is how they spread Chagas disease, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Assassin bugs, on the other hand, are not known to transmit any diseases to humans.
What happens if a kissing bug bites you?
If youre lucky, nothing.
Most people who are bitten by kissing bugs dont experience any ill effects.
In rare cases, kissing bugs can transmit a serious disease called Chagas disease.
Chagas disease is a parasitic infection that can cause fever, fatigue, body aches, and even death.
Treatment for Chagas disease is available, but its most effective if its started early.
Where do kissing bugs hide in a home?
They can also be found outdoors hiding in trees, bushes, or under eaves.
What states have kissing bugs?
There are many species of kissing bugs, and they can be found in a variety of locations.
In addition to their geographic location, kissing bugs can also be found in different habitats within a state.
Bugs That Look Like Kissing Bugs.
These little critters are called kissing bugs because they tend to bite people around the mouth or eyes.
While their bites are generally not harmful, they can transmit a serious disease called Chagas disease.
What do they look like?
Assassin bugs are a punch in of bug that can be found in many different parts of the world.
Some species of assassin bugs can grow to be over an inch long!
While most bugs are harmless, there are some species of assassin bugs that can transmit diseases to humans.
The most well-known of these is the Chagas disease, which is found in Central and South America.
When they spot their prey, they will quickly move in for the kill.
Kissing bugs can also transmit a potentially deadly disease called Chagas disease, while assassin bugs do not.
-Kissing bugs have a triangle-shaped mark on their backs, while assassin bugs do not.
-Kissing bugs are typically smaller than assassin bugs.
Bordered plant bugs are small, black and white insects that feed on a variety of plants.
They get their name from the white border around the edge of their bodies.
They are often mistaken for kissing bugs because of their similar appearance.
What do they look like?
As mentioned, bordered plant bugs have a black body with a white border.
They are small insects, typically only reaching about 14 of an inch in length.
They have six legs and two antennae.
Where are they found?
Bordered plant bugs can be found in gardens, fields, and other areas where plants are growing.
They are common in the eastern United States but can also be found in other parts of the country.
What do they eat?
Bordered plant bugs feed on a variety of plants, including vegetables, fruits, and flowers.
They typically eat the leaves or stems of plants but can also damage the fruit itself.
What do they do?
Bordered plant bugs feed on the sap of plants, which can cause damage to the plant.
They are particularly fond of impatiens, roses, and zinnias.
How can I get rid of them?
If you have bordered plant bugs in your garden, you might remove them by hand.
Theyre called boxelder bugs because they like to live on boxelder trees.
But they dont just live on boxelders.
They also like to live on maples, ashes, and cherries.
Well, theyre black with red stripes.
And theyre shaped like a triangle.
But the most interesting thing about them is their mouth.
Their mouth is designed for sucking.
And thats why theyre sometimes called kissing bugs.
How do they live?
Boxelder bugs usually live in groups.
They like to congregate on the sunny side of a tree or a building.
And they like to lay their eggs in the cracks of trees or buildings.
Boxelder bugs are actually pretty helpful.
They eat aphids, which are pests that damage plants.
But they can also be a nuisance.
Chinch bugs are small, black insects with white stripes on their backs.
Theyre about one-eighth of an inch long and have six legs.
Chinch bugs feed on the sap of plants, which can cause leaves to turn yellow and eventually die.
How can you get rid of them?
The best way to get rid of chinch bugs is to use an insecticide.
it’s possible for you to also try using a garden hose to spray them off of your plants.
If you have a severe infestation, you may need to call a pest control company.
What should you do if you find them in your home?
You may also want to call a pest control company to treat your home.
Are they harmful to humans?
Chinch bugs are not harmful to humans, but they can be a nuisance.
If you have an infestation, its best to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Damsel bugs are a bang out of predatory insect that are closely related to true bugs.
While they can bite humans if handled roughly, damsel bugs are not known to transmit any diseases.
Adult damsel bugs are typically dark-colored and measure between 12 and 18 millimeters in length.
They have long, narrow bodies with thread-like antennae and piercing-sucking mouthparts.
As predators, damsel bugs feed on a variety of smaller insects and arthropods.
Their diet typically includes aphids, caterpillars, thrips, mites, and small beetles.
In agricultural options, they can help to control pest populations and reduce the need for chemical pesticides.
Where do they live?
In North America, they are most common in the southern and western United States.
What is their life cycle?
The eggs hatch after about a week, and the resulting nymphs go through several molts before reaching adulthood.
Adults can live for up to two years.
Damsel bugs are predators that help tocontrol pest populations in gardensand agricultural fields.
Do they pose any threats?
Damsel bugs are not known to transmit any diseases to humans or animals.
However, they can bite if handled roughly.
Additionally, their sharp claws may puncture the skin, causing minor discomfort.
Overall, they are considered to be beneficial insects.
What should you do if you find one?
If you find a damsel bug in your home, there is no need to be concerned.
These insects are not known to cause any damage to buildings or furniture.
you could simply capture the bug and release it outside.
Flat bugs are a key in of insect that is flattened from top to bottom.
This makes them look like they have been squashed.
They are usually found in warm, humid environments and are attracted to light.
Flat bugs vary in size and shape, but they all share the same flattened appearance.
Some common flat bugs include: bedbugs, lice, fleas, and mites.
They are usually brown or reddish in color and may have stripes or patterns on their bodies.
Flat bugs feed on blood.
They will bite humans and animals to get the blood they need.
They are sometimes known as kissing bugs because they will often bite people around the mouth or eyes.
Flat bugs go through three stages in their life cycle: egg, nymph, and adult.
The eggs are laid on the ground and hatch into nymphs.
Nymphs look like adults but are smaller and do not have wings.
They will molt (shed their skin) several times as they grow.
Once they reach adulthood, they will mate and lay eggs to start the cycle over again.
What is their importance?
Flat bugs are important because they help to decompose dead plants and animals.
Without them, things would start to pile up and get very smelly!
What are some interesting facts about them?
Some interesting facts about flat bugs include:
-They have been around for millions of years.
-They are found on every continent except Antarctica.
-There are over 12,000 species of flat bugs.
Leaf-footed bugs are true bugs belonging to the family Coreidae.
Most leaf-footed bugs are plant feeders and many are considered pests of agricultural crops.
Most leaf-footed bugs are dark brown or black, although some species are brightly colored.
They range in size from about 12 inch to almost an inch long.
The wings of leaf-footed bugs are usually darker than the rest of their bodies and may have pale markings.
Leaf-footed bugs are found throughout the Americas, from the United States to South America.
This can cause damage to crops and may make the plants more susceptible to disease.
Some species of leaf-footed bugs are known to feed on other insects, including caterpillars and beetle larvae.
What else should I know about them?
During the day, leaf-footed bugs often rest on the undersides of leaves or on branches.
At night, they may be attracted to lights.
Kissing bugs also have a distinctly slender shape, while leaf-footed bugs tend to be more round.
This can be one of the easiest ways to tell these two types of bugs apart.
Plant bugs are small, sap-sucking insects that attack a wide range of plants.
Many plant bugs are brightly colored and some have interesting patterns on their wings.
Some plant bugs can be serious pests of crops while others rarely cause any problems at all.
Plant bugs feed by puncturing the plant tissue and sucking out the sap.
This feeding can cause leaf deformities, stunted growth, and reduced yields.
In severe cases, plant bugs can kill plants outright.
For one, kissing bugs are typically a bit larger than plant bugs.
They also have longer mouths, which they use to pierce their victims skin and suck their blood.
These little buggers are native to Europe, but theyve made their way to North America.
Theyre called scentless plant bugs because they dont produce the typical stink that most insects do.
Instead, they emit a musty smell.
Theyre not harmful to humans, but they can be a real pain in the neck for farmers.
Thats because they feed on plants, and theyre especially fond of soybeans.
In fact, they can cause up to 80% damage to a soybean crop.
Theyve also been known to feast on other crops, like cotton, alfalfa, and corn.
Scentless plant bugs are small, oval-shaped insects.
Theyre dark brown or black in color and have a yellow or white stripe running down their backs.
Theyre about the same size as a penny.
As their name suggests, scentless plant bugs feed on plants.
They puncture the stems of plants and suck out the sap.
This can cause the plants to wilt and die.
Scentless plant bugs are not harmful to humans.
However, they can be a real nuisance for farmers.
Thats because they feed on plants, and theyre especially fond of soybeans.
In fact, they can cause up to 80% damage to a soybean crop.
Theyve also been known to feast on other crops, like cotton, alfalfa, and corn.
If you think youve spotted a scentless plant bug, its best to contact your local extension office.
They can help you identify the insect and determine whether or not its a threat to your crops.
it’s possible for you to use insecticidal soap or neem oil to kill them on contact.
it’s possible for you to also try using traps, like yellow sticky traps or pheromone traps.
you’re able to also take measures to prevent them from infesting your plants in the first place.
That includes removing their favorite food source (soybeans) from your property.
you’re free to also try using row covers or screens to keep them out of your garden.
These bugs are often mistaken for one another because of their similar appearance.
So, whats the difference between a kissing bug and a scentless plant bug?
For starters, kissing bugs are blood-sucking insects that feed on the blood of animals and humans.
They get their name from the fact that they often bite people around the mouth or eyes.
On the other hand, scentless plant bugs are harmless to humans and only feed on plants.
Another difference between these two bugs is their size.
Kissing bugs are typically larger than scentless plant bugs, measuring about 13-20 mm in length.
Scentless plant bugs are usually smaller, only reaching about 12 mm in length.
Finally, the two bugs can be distinguished by their color.
Kissing bugs are typically dark brown or black with reddish-orange markings.
Scentless plant bugs, on the other hand, are usually light brown or tan.
Seed Bugs (Leptoglossus occidentalis)
Seed Bugs are true bugs in the family Coreidae.
They are native to North America and can be found west of the Rocky Mountains.
They are often mistaken for kissing bugs (Triatoma spp.
Adult Seed Bugs are about 34 of an inch long and brown or black in color.
They have a triangular shape and their wings overlap when they are at rest.
They are often mistaken for kissing bugs because of their similar appearance.
Seed Bugs feed on the seeds of plants, which is how they get their name.
Seed Bugs are a pop in of true bug in the family Coreidae.
They are native to North America and can be found west of the Rocky Mountains.
Seed Bugs get their name from their diet of plant seeds.
They are often mistaken for kissing bugs (Triatoma spp.
Adult Seed Bugs are about 34 of an inch long and brown or black in color.
They have a triangular shape and their wings overlap when they are at rest.
Stink bugs are small, brownish-black insects that emit a foul odor when disturbed.
They are often found in gardens and on crops, where they feed on plant sap.
Stink bugs have a distinctive shield-shaped body and are about 12 inch long.
They are brownish-black in color and have six legs.
Stink bugs also have two long, antennae that are used to smell their food.
Stink bugs feed on plant sap, which they suck out of the stems of plants.
This feeding can damage crops and make them unsellable.
Stink bugs also eat fruit, which can make it taste bad.
Stink bugs are found in gardens, on crops, and in other areas where there are plants.
They often enter houses in search of shelter during the winter months.
Stink bugs go through four stages of development: egg, nymph, pupa, and adult.
Female stink bugs lay eggs on the undersides of leaves.
The eggs hatch into nymphs, which look like small adults.
Nymphs molt several times as they grow.
Pupae are the stage between nymphs and adults.
Adult stink bugs mate and lay eggs to start the cycle over again.
Stink bugs damage crops by feeding on plant sap and fruit.
For one, kissing bugs are much bigger than stink bugs.
Kissing bugs also have a more pointed head than stink bugs.
And, while both insects can fly, stink bugs are better at it than kissing bugs.
Lastly, as their name suggests, stink bugs release a foul odor when they are disturbed.
Kissing bugs do not have this ability.
This will make it harder for them to find places to hide.
You should also seal any cracks or gaps around your home to prevent them from getting inside.
