Although commonly found in the Southern States and warmer regions, the assassin bug is no stranger to Canada due to recent climate changes.
Can kissing bugs be found in Canada?
Where kissing bugs are found. Kissing bugs are found in warm southern states of the U.S. and in Mexico, Central America, and South America.
Are there assassin bugs in Ontario?
There are several different species of assassin bugs including Acholla multispinosa (DeGeer), Zelus luridus Stal. The most abundant assassin bug in Ontario apple orchards is Acholla multispinosa (DeGeer).
Where can assassin bugs be found?
Assassin, a.k.a. kissing bugs, are found all across the bottom two-thirds of the United States, and predominantly in Arizona, California, Texas, and New Mexico. Once only found in tropical regions further south, climate change and global warming have since pushed them further north.
Are assassin bugs in North America?
Assassin bugs belong to a large family of true bugs called the Reduviidae. There are approximately 160 species in North America, and many are commonly encountered around the home.
Can you get Chagas disease in Canada?
Given the substantial numbers of Latin American immigrants from endemic countries, there are likely thousands of undiagnosed, chronically infected persons with Chagas disease in Canada,8 with only a small minority discovered via blood donation.
What happens if you get bit by an assassin bug?
Some assassin bugs, most notably the wheel bug, will bite if picked up and handled carelessly. The bite of the wheel bug is immediately and intensely painful. Persons who are bitten should wash and apply antiseptic to the site of the bite. Oral analgesics, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, may be useful to reduce the pain.
Can assassin bugs hurt you?
It is said that the bite of this bug is extremely painful, feeling much like a bee sting. The area around the bite may swell and become numb. The assassin bug isn’t likely to pass on any diseases, but the kissing bug may. It is best to just avoid them.
Do assassin bugs harm people?
Some assassin bugs are harmful to humans, due to their tendency to bite and/or the potency of their venom, and some, like the kissing bug, carry harmful parasites. The wheel bug is one such nasty assassin variety; it’s a very large grey bug usually just over an inch long, with a circular crest on its back.
What is the deadliest assassin bug?
Assassin bugs – 12,000 deaths a year
The assassin bug, also called the kissing bug, is responsible for carrying Chagas disease, which kills about 12,000 people a year on average.
Do assassin bugs live through winter?
There are over 160 species of assassin bugs in North America, most of which survive the winter as adults in sheltered locations.
Should I worry about assassin bugs?
As mentioned, assassin bugs are wonderful beneficial insects to have in your garden. They will hunt down and eat many of the harmful bugs that are frequently found in the garden, which reduces the need for manual or chemical pest control.
How poisonous is a kissing bug?
Kissing bugs can transmit a parasite that leads to a potentially serious illness called Chagas disease. Most cases of Chagas disease occur in Latin America. Although infection directly from exposure to the kissing bug is rare in the US, it is still important to take steps to prevent kissing bug bites.
Are kissing bugs rare?
In the United States, kissing bugs have been found in 29 states. All shaded states in the map have at least one kissing bug found there. Striped states are those from which we have received submissions to our Community Science Program. In some states, kissing bugs have only been found a few times and are probably rare.
What kills assassin bugs?
Bifen LP is a great granular insecticide that will provide protection for up to 90 days. Supreme IT is a liquid insecticide that will be used to create a barrier around your property to kill, repel, and prevent insects from coming inside, including Assassin Bugs.
Can you survive Chagas?
Many people may remain asymptomatic for life and never develop Chagas-related symptoms. However, an estimated 20–30% of infected people will develop severe and sometimes life-threatening medical problems over the course of their lives.
Can you survive Chagas disease?
Chagas disease (T. cruzi infection) is also referred to as American trypanosomiasis. It is estimated that as many as 8 million people in Mexico, Central America, and South America have Chagas disease, most of whom do not know they are infected. If untreated, infection is lifelong and can be life threatening.
Can you be cured of Chagas disease?
Treatment. To kill the parasite, Chagas disease can be treated with benznidazole or nifurtimox. Both medicines are nearly 100% effective in curing the disease if given soon after infection at the onset of the acute phase, including the cases of congenital transmission.
How do I identify an assassin bug?
Identification. Assassin bug adults and nymphs (immatures) have an elongate head and body and long legs. The narrow head has rounded, beady eyes and long, hinged, needlelike mouthparts. Adults and nymphs can walk rapidly when disturbed or capturing prey.
How do you attract assassin bugs?
Attract assassin bugs by having plants such as alfalfa, daisies, dandelions, dill, fennel, goldenrod, queen anne’s lace, marigolds, tansy. Assassin bugs are attracted to lights. Try having some solar lights in your garden.
Do all assassin bugs carry chagas?
It is important to note that not all triatomine bugs are infected with the parasite that causes Chagas disease. The likelihood of getting T. cruzi infection from a triatomine bug in the United States is low, even if the bug is infected.