RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The so called “kissing bugs” have been invading headlines for the past two weeks as the CDC has reported the deadly bug has made its way into the United States.
The bug’s feces contain a parasite that carries Chagas, a disease that can kill if left untreated.
“They are not invading from South America,” said Virginia Health Department entomologist David Gaines.
Gaines says he’s received some samples of what people thought were kissing bugs, but were in fact wheel bugs, which are in the same family and are common around the state.
“It’s commonly mistaken for a kissing bug, but a wheel bug has a spiky semi circle sticking out of its back that looks like kind of the spikes on a stegosaurus dinosaur,” Gaines.
We also showed Gaines a number of viewer pics sent to us claiming it was the kissing bug.
“Yeah definite wheel bugs,” Gaines said in response to the photos.
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Gaines says there are some tell tale signs. Wheel bugs are found outside during the day, kissing bugs are nocturnal and look for holes and crevices.
“If you find bugs inside your home, then that’s a slightly greater concern,” Gaines said.
Gaines says you can always call pest control to get rid of the bugs and ask the local or state health department to look at a sample or picture. If you’re bit, Gaines says don’t panic.
“There’s a misunderstanding in the public that the bug can transmit the disease by just a bite, and that’s just not true.”
Gaines says the feces is what carries the deadly disease, not the bite. He says kissing bugs in North America don’t usually secrete while feeding, so the chances of catching it are extremely slim. For more information about kissing bugs and what to look for, click here.
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
