Meeks: Measures to take to protect yourself from the kissing bug
Many of you may have heard by now about the "deadly" kissing bug found in Georgia through different media outlets. Kissing bugs are in the Reduviidae family, along with the menacing looking wheel bug and assassin bug. The wheel bug and assassin bug are beneficial insects feeding on insect pests. While they do not carry the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite that causes Chagas' disease, they can deliver a painful bite when handled.
Kissing bugs have been present in the Southeast for decades. According to University of Georgia entomologist Nancy Hinkle, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta has not recorded a case of Chagas's disease caused by the parasite that some insects may carry. Kissing bugs tend to live in the nest and burrows of their typical animal host; raccoons, opossums, skunks and armadillo. The parasite is not passed from the infected insect to mammal through the bite but through the insect's feces. Humans can become infected by inhaling, ingesting, rubbing the feces into their eyes or into a break in the skin.
In North America we have few advantages over Central and South America. First, our homes are well-sealed making it harder for the nocturnal insect to visit us during the night. Second, the kissing bugs in Georgia behave differently than those in other regions. In Central and South America, the kissing bug tends to defecate immediately after it feeds. This leaves potentially parasite-infected feces next to the feeding wound which may be scratched into the broken skin. The kissing bugs in Georgia usually move away from their host after feeding before defecating. This leaves the victim less likely to be exposed to the parasite.
If you are concerned about the kissing bug there are some things you can do to help keep them out of your home. Replace weather-stripping around doors and windows, repair damaged window screens and install door sweeps. Not only will this help keep insects out but the cold air as well. Also, turn off your porch light at night to avoid attracting insects.
If you have any questions or would like some help identifying an insect, please give our office a call.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Dec. 24-Jan. 1 Closed for Christmas and News Year's Day holidays
Jan. 5-7: Beltwide Cotton Conference, New Orleans
Jan. 18: Office closed
Jan. 19: Green Team recertification training, Perry
Jan. 25: Forage/hay production meeting 6 p.m. Perry
For more information on any program area, contact Houston County Extension at 478-987-2028 or drop by our office in the old courthouse, downtown Perry, 801 Main St. Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit our website at http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/houston/ for more news about your local Extension office.
This story was originally published December 8, 2015 at 10:40 PM with the headline "Meeks: Measures to take to protect yourself from the kissing bug ."