{"id":141,"date":"2026-01-09T12:38:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T12:38:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/presspulesnews9.com\/?p=141"},"modified":"2026-01-09T12:38:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T12:38:29","slug":"steps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/presspulesnews9.com\/?p=141","title":{"rendered":"Steps to Take After Being Bitten by an Assassin Bug"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 class=\"post-title\">Steps to Take After Being Bitten by an Assassin Bug<\/h1>\n<p>Summer is a season that many people eagerly wait for all year long \u2014 the warm sunshine, backyard barbecues, blooming gardens, long walks in nature, and evenings spent on the porch with friends and family.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"421\" data-end=\"1001\">But beyond the beauty of the season, summer also brings a surge in insect activity. Most people already know about mosquitoes, ticks, flies, and ants. However, in recent years, experts have raised the alarm about another insect that is quickly gaining attention across the United States \u2014 the\u00a0<strong data-start=\"919\" data-end=\"935\">assassin bug<\/strong>, also known by its more unsettling nickname, the\u00a0<strong data-start=\"985\" data-end=\"1000\">kissing bug<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1003\" data-end=\"1470\">Despite the innocent-sounding name, this insect poses a far more serious risk than most people realize. While many Americans have never heard of it, the assassin bug has quietly been spreading across the country, and its bite has the potential to transmit a parasitic infection that can lead to long-term complications if left untreated.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1003\" data-end=\"1470\">This emerging threat makes understanding the insect, recognizing its habits, and knowing how to respond more important than ever. In this expanded guide, we will explore everything the public needs to know:<\/p>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9153507942483523\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_3_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_3\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?client=ca-pub-9153507942483523&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;adk=2388676835&amp;adf=931209794&amp;w=1200&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1767962252&amp;rafmt=1&amp;armr=3&amp;sem=mc&amp;pwprc=3606350633&amp;ad_type=text_image&amp;format=1200x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-3%2F&amp;host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&amp;fwr=0&amp;pra=3&amp;rh=200&amp;rw=1200&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;aieuf=1&amp;aicrs=1&amp;fa=27&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTQzLjAuNzQ5OS4xNzAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJOb3QgQShCcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=7&amp;dt=1767962251913&amp;bpp=6&amp;bdt=6524&amp;idt=-M&amp;shv=r20260107&amp;mjsv=m202601060101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3De16542e01977e563%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MbvLuhJCybUKzZV35E0jMrnT5iI0g&amp;gpic=UID%3D000011983e29c2d5%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MZB8yVrtVcRjwaJ3hXeGU5UD3Gmig&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D66c460d9dce54eaf%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DAA-AfjarcVvSZfNX2llEqtkoFa4_&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C728x90&amp;nras=2&amp;correlator=439671198580&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=420&amp;u_his=2&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1040&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=1117&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1058&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=42532523%2C95378599%2C95379213%2C95379897%2C31096171%2C95344788%2C95375758%2C95340253%2C95340255&amp;oid=2&amp;pvsid=6806317701508157&amp;tmod=1273152514&amp;uas=3&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-4%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawPN1cNicmlkETFETmk0Sm5NcUYyR2NUSG5Lc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkpSdT3ZwsY29OlGAR5so1iZOyKpewzsVcMyBNCKaAy7Lk2yTqqoaFWaAD5x%26brid%3D49JMZPHH1gpZBk7a-brZRA&amp;fc=1408&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1040%2C2133%2C1058&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&amp;abl=NS&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;plas=404x833_l%7C468x833_r&amp;bz=0.9&amp;pgls=CAEaBTYuOC4y~CAEQBBoHMS4xNjAuMQ..~CAEQBRoGMy4zMS4z&amp;num_ads=1&amp;ifi=4&amp;uci=a!4&amp;btvi=1&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=414\" name=\"aswift_3\" width=\"1200\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!4\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-query-id=\"CM_wk9G8_pEDFZW6SwUdoi4LJQ\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<p data-start=\"1003\" data-end=\"1470\">where assassin bugs live, why they bite humans, how they transmit disease, and what steps you can take to keep your home and family protected. The more informed you are, the safer you will be during the warmer months ahead.<\/p>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9153507942483523\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_4_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_4\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?client=ca-pub-9153507942483523&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;adk=2388676835&amp;adf=4170814875&amp;w=1200&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1767962252&amp;rafmt=1&amp;armr=3&amp;sem=mc&amp;pwprc=3606350633&amp;ad_type=text_image&amp;format=1200x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-3%2F&amp;host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&amp;fwr=0&amp;pra=3&amp;rh=200&amp;rw=1200&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;aieuf=1&amp;aicrs=1&amp;fa=27&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTQzLjAuNzQ5OS4xNzAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJOb3QgQShCcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=7&amp;dt=1767962251913&amp;bpp=5&amp;bdt=6524&amp;idt=-M&amp;shv=r20260107&amp;mjsv=m202601060101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3De16542e01977e563%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MbvLuhJCybUKzZV35E0jMrnT5iI0g&amp;gpic=UID%3D000011983e29c2d5%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MZB8yVrtVcRjwaJ3hXeGU5UD3Gmig&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D66c460d9dce54eaf%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DAA-AfjarcVvSZfNX2llEqtkoFa4_&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C728x90%2C1200x280&amp;nras=3&amp;correlator=439671198580&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=420&amp;u_his=2&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1040&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=1471&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1058&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=42532523%2C95378599%2C95379213%2C95379897%2C31096171%2C95344788%2C95375758%2C95340253%2C95340255&amp;oid=2&amp;pvsid=6806317701508157&amp;tmod=1273152514&amp;uas=3&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-4%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawPN1cNicmlkETFETmk0Sm5NcUYyR2NUSG5Lc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkpSdT3ZwsY29OlGAR5so1iZOyKpewzsVcMyBNCKaAy7Lk2yTqqoaFWaAD5x%26brid%3D49JMZPHH1gpZBk7a-brZRA&amp;fc=1408&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1040%2C2133%2C1058&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&amp;abl=NS&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;plas=404x833_l%7C468x833_r&amp;bz=0.9&amp;pgls=CAEaBTYuOC4y~CAEQBBoHMS4xNjAuMQ..~CAEQBRoGMy4zMS4z&amp;num_ads=1&amp;ifi=5&amp;uci=a!5&amp;btvi=2&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=415\" name=\"aswift_4\" width=\"1200\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!5\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-query-id=\"CP2TlNG8_pEDFUAUgwMdW5Ac0A\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<p data-start=\"1003\" data-end=\"1470\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-12206 lzl-ed lzl-cached\" src=\"https:\/\/likya.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ajm14341-fig-0001_lrg-600x540.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"382\" height=\"344\" data-lzl-src=\"https:\/\/likya.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ajm14341-fig-0001_lrg-600x540.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1779\" data-end=\"1818\"><strong data-start=\"1782\" data-end=\"1818\">What Exactly Is an Assassin Bug?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1820\" data-end=\"2181\">Assassin bugs belong to a family of insects known as\u00a0<em data-start=\"1873\" data-end=\"1886\">Triatominae<\/em>. These insects have existed for centuries, but their presence in the United States has become increasingly noticeable over the last decade. Unlike mosquitoes, which tend to feed quickly and then fly away, assassin bugs have a unique feeding pattern that makes their bites potentially dangerous.<\/p>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9153507942483523\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_5_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_5\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?client=ca-pub-9153507942483523&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;adk=2388676835&amp;adf=2613633888&amp;w=1200&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1767962252&amp;rafmt=1&amp;armr=3&amp;sem=mc&amp;pwprc=3606350633&amp;ad_type=text_image&amp;format=1200x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-3%2F&amp;host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&amp;fwr=0&amp;pra=3&amp;rh=200&amp;rw=1200&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;aieuf=1&amp;aicrs=1&amp;fa=27&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTQzLjAuNzQ5OS4xNzAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJOb3QgQShCcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=7&amp;dt=1767962251913&amp;bpp=8&amp;bdt=6524&amp;idt=-M&amp;shv=r20260107&amp;mjsv=m202601060101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3De16542e01977e563%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MbvLuhJCybUKzZV35E0jMrnT5iI0g&amp;gpic=UID%3D000011983e29c2d5%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MZB8yVrtVcRjwaJ3hXeGU5UD3Gmig&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D66c460d9dce54eaf%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DAA-AfjarcVvSZfNX2llEqtkoFa4_&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C728x90%2C1200x280%2C1200x280&amp;nras=4&amp;correlator=439671198580&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=420&amp;u_his=2&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1040&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=2278&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1058&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=42532523%2C95378599%2C95379213%2C95379897%2C31096171%2C95344788%2C95375758%2C95340253%2C95340255&amp;oid=2&amp;pvsid=6806317701508157&amp;tmod=1273152514&amp;uas=3&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-4%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawPN1cNicmlkETFETmk0Sm5NcUYyR2NUSG5Lc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkpSdT3ZwsY29OlGAR5so1iZOyKpewzsVcMyBNCKaAy7Lk2yTqqoaFWaAD5x%26brid%3D49JMZPHH1gpZBk7a-brZRA&amp;fc=1408&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1040%2C2133%2C1058&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&amp;abl=NS&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;plas=404x833_l%7C468x833_r&amp;bz=0.9&amp;pgls=CAEaBTYuOC4y~CAEQBBoHMS4xNjAuMQ..~CAEQBRoGMy4zMS4z&amp;num_ads=1&amp;ifi=6&amp;uci=a!6&amp;btvi=3&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=417\" name=\"aswift_5\" width=\"1200\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!6\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-query-id=\"COqulNG8_pEDFSqhSwUdU5A22Q\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<p data-start=\"2183\" data-end=\"2529\">The insects are typically about an inch long and have distinctive elongated bodies, narrow heads, and thin legs. Their coloring varies, but many have orange or reddish stripes along the edges of their bodies. At first glance, they might be mistaken for other, harmless bugs \u2014 but it\u2019s their behavior, not their appearance, that makes them a risk.<\/p>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9153507942483523\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_6_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_6\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?client=ca-pub-9153507942483523&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;adk=2388676835&amp;adf=1193088119&amp;w=1200&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1767962252&amp;rafmt=1&amp;armr=3&amp;sem=mc&amp;pwprc=3606350633&amp;ad_type=text_image&amp;format=1200x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-3%2F&amp;host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&amp;fwr=0&amp;pra=3&amp;rh=200&amp;rw=1200&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;aieuf=1&amp;aicrs=1&amp;fa=27&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTQzLjAuNzQ5OS4xNzAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJOb3QgQShCcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=7&amp;dt=1767962251913&amp;bpp=8&amp;bdt=6524&amp;idt=-M&amp;shv=r20260107&amp;mjsv=m202601060101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3De16542e01977e563%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MbvLuhJCybUKzZV35E0jMrnT5iI0g&amp;gpic=UID%3D000011983e29c2d5%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MZB8yVrtVcRjwaJ3hXeGU5UD3Gmig&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D66c460d9dce54eaf%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DAA-AfjarcVvSZfNX2llEqtkoFa4_&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C728x90%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280&amp;nras=5&amp;correlator=439671198580&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=420&amp;u_his=2&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1040&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=2661&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1058&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=42532523%2C95378599%2C95379213%2C95379897%2C31096171%2C95344788%2C95375758%2C95340253%2C95340255&amp;oid=2&amp;pvsid=6806317701508157&amp;tmod=1273152514&amp;uas=3&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-4%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawPN1cNicmlkETFETmk0Sm5NcUYyR2NUSG5Lc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkpSdT3ZwsY29OlGAR5so1iZOyKpewzsVcMyBNCKaAy7Lk2yTqqoaFWaAD5x%26brid%3D49JMZPHH1gpZBk7a-brZRA&amp;fc=1408&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1040%2C2133%2C1058&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&amp;abl=NS&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;plas=404x833_l%7C468x833_r&amp;bz=0.9&amp;pgls=CAEaBTYuOC4y~CAEQBBoHMS4xNjAuMQ..~CAEQBRoGMy4zMS4z&amp;num_ads=1&amp;ifi=7&amp;uci=a!7&amp;btvi=4&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=419\" name=\"aswift_6\" width=\"1200\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!7\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-google-query-id=\"CP6gldG8_pEDFZ-8SwUdZM0gGA\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<h3 data-start=\"2531\" data-end=\"2574\"><strong data-start=\"2535\" data-end=\"2574\">Why Are They Called \u201cKissing Bugs\u201d?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9153507942483523\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_7_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_7\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?client=ca-pub-9153507942483523&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;adk=2388676835&amp;adf=1129480594&amp;w=1200&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1767962252&amp;rafmt=1&amp;armr=3&amp;sem=mc&amp;pwprc=3606350633&amp;ad_type=text_image&amp;format=1200x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-3%2F&amp;host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&amp;fwr=0&amp;pra=3&amp;rh=200&amp;rw=1200&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;aieuf=1&amp;aicrs=1&amp;fa=27&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTQzLjAuNzQ5OS4xNzAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJOb3QgQShCcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=7&amp;dt=1767962251913&amp;bpp=8&amp;bdt=6524&amp;idt=-M&amp;shv=r20260107&amp;mjsv=m202601060101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3De16542e01977e563%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MbvLuhJCybUKzZV35E0jMrnT5iI0g&amp;gpic=UID%3D000011983e29c2d5%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MZB8yVrtVcRjwaJ3hXeGU5UD3Gmig&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D66c460d9dce54eaf%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DAA-AfjarcVvSZfNX2llEqtkoFa4_&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C728x90%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280&amp;nras=6&amp;correlator=439671198580&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=420&amp;u_his=2&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1040&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=3005&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1058&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=42532523%2C95378599%2C95379213%2C95379897%2C31096171%2C95344788%2C95375758%2C95340253%2C95340255&amp;oid=2&amp;pvsid=6806317701508157&amp;tmod=1273152514&amp;uas=3&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-4%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawPN1cNicmlkETFETmk0Sm5NcUYyR2NUSG5Lc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkpSdT3ZwsY29OlGAR5so1iZOyKpewzsVcMyBNCKaAy7Lk2yTqqoaFWaAD5x%26brid%3D49JMZPHH1gpZBk7a-brZRA&amp;fc=1408&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1040%2C2133%2C1058&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&amp;abl=NS&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;plas=404x833_l%7C468x833_r&amp;bz=0.9&amp;pgls=CAEaBTYuOC4y~CAEQBBoHMS4xNjAuMQ..~CAEQBRoGMy4zMS4z&amp;num_ads=1&amp;ifi=8&amp;uci=a!8&amp;btvi=5&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=420\" name=\"aswift_7\" width=\"1200\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!8\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-query-id=\"CLu0ldG8_pEDFd-VSwUdjD4AUw\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<p data-start=\"2575\" data-end=\"2863\">The nickname \u201ckissing bug\u201d is not charming \u2014 it\u2019s disturbing. These insects often bite humans around the mouth or eyes\u00a0<strong data-start=\"2694\" data-end=\"2724\">while the person is asleep<\/strong>. They are attracted to the carbon dioxide humans exhale, which guides them toward their target. Most people never feel the bite happening.<\/p>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9153507942483523\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_8_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_8\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?client=ca-pub-9153507942483523&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;adk=2388676835&amp;adf=2329205835&amp;w=1200&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1767962252&amp;rafmt=1&amp;armr=3&amp;sem=mc&amp;pwprc=3606350633&amp;ad_type=text_image&amp;format=1200x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-3%2F&amp;host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&amp;fwr=0&amp;pra=3&amp;rh=200&amp;rw=1200&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;aieuf=1&amp;aicrs=1&amp;fa=27&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTQzLjAuNzQ5OS4xNzAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJOb3QgQShCcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=7&amp;dt=1767962251913&amp;bpp=6&amp;bdt=6524&amp;idt=-M&amp;shv=r20260107&amp;mjsv=m202601060101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3De16542e01977e563%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MbvLuhJCybUKzZV35E0jMrnT5iI0g&amp;gpic=UID%3D000011983e29c2d5%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MZB8yVrtVcRjwaJ3hXeGU5UD3Gmig&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D66c460d9dce54eaf%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DAA-AfjarcVvSZfNX2llEqtkoFa4_&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C728x90%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280&amp;nras=7&amp;correlator=439671198580&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=420&amp;u_his=2&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1040&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=3358&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1058&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=42532523%2C95378599%2C95379213%2C95379897%2C31096171%2C95344788%2C95375758%2C95340253%2C95340255&amp;oid=2&amp;pvsid=6806317701508157&amp;tmod=1273152514&amp;uas=3&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-4%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawPN1cNicmlkETFETmk0Sm5NcUYyR2NUSG5Lc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkpSdT3ZwsY29OlGAR5so1iZOyKpewzsVcMyBNCKaAy7Lk2yTqqoaFWaAD5x%26brid%3D49JMZPHH1gpZBk7a-brZRA&amp;fc=1408&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1040%2C2133%2C1058&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&amp;abl=NS&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;plas=404x833_l%7C468x833_r&amp;bz=0.9&amp;pgls=CAEaBTYuOC4y~CAEQBBoHMS4xNjAuMQ..~CAEQBRoGMy4zMS4z&amp;num_ads=1&amp;ifi=9&amp;uci=a!9&amp;btvi=6&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=422\" name=\"aswift_8\" width=\"1200\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!9\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-query-id=\"CMmsldG8_pEDFXyTSwUdZ4Iviw\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<p data-start=\"2865\" data-end=\"2899\">This is where the danger comes in.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2901\" data-end=\"3209\">During or immediately after feeding, assassin bugs frequently defecate near the bite area. Their feces contain a parasite known as\u00a0<em data-start=\"3032\" data-end=\"3051\">Trypanosoma cruzi<\/em>, which is the cause of\u00a0<strong data-start=\"3075\" data-end=\"3093\">Chagas disease<\/strong>. If the parasite enters the body \u2014 usually through rubbing, scratching, or touching the area \u2014 infection can occur.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"3216\" data-end=\"3273\"><strong data-start=\"3219\" data-end=\"3273\">Where Assassin Bugs Live and Why They\u2019re Spreading<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3275\" data-end=\"3519\">Assassin bugs are found across\u00a0<strong data-start=\"3306\" data-end=\"3335\">much of the United States<\/strong>, but they are especially concentrated in the Southern and Southwestern states due to the warm climate. The insects prefer dry, sheltered locations close to where humans and pets live.<\/p>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9153507942483523\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_9_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_9\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?client=ca-pub-9153507942483523&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;adk=2388676835&amp;adf=131659051&amp;w=1200&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1767962252&amp;rafmt=1&amp;armr=3&amp;sem=mc&amp;pwprc=3606350633&amp;ad_type=text_image&amp;format=1200x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-3%2F&amp;host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&amp;fwr=0&amp;pra=3&amp;rh=200&amp;rw=1200&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;aieuf=1&amp;aicrs=1&amp;fa=27&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTQzLjAuNzQ5OS4xNzAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJOb3QgQShCcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=7&amp;dt=1767962251913&amp;bpp=6&amp;bdt=6524&amp;idt=6&amp;shv=r20260107&amp;mjsv=m202601060101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3De16542e01977e563%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MbvLuhJCybUKzZV35E0jMrnT5iI0g&amp;gpic=UID%3D000011983e29c2d5%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MZB8yVrtVcRjwaJ3hXeGU5UD3Gmig&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D66c460d9dce54eaf%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DAA-AfjarcVvSZfNX2llEqtkoFa4_&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C728x90%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280&amp;nras=8&amp;correlator=439671198580&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=420&amp;u_his=2&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1040&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=3885&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1058&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=42532523%2C95378599%2C95379213%2C95379897%2C31096171%2C95344788%2C95375758%2C95340253%2C95340255&amp;oid=2&amp;pvsid=6806317701508157&amp;tmod=1273152514&amp;uas=3&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-4%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawPN1cNicmlkETFETmk0Sm5NcUYyR2NUSG5Lc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkpSdT3ZwsY29OlGAR5so1iZOyKpewzsVcMyBNCKaAy7Lk2yTqqoaFWaAD5x%26brid%3D49JMZPHH1gpZBk7a-brZRA&amp;fc=1408&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1040%2C2133%2C1058&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&amp;abl=NS&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;plas=404x833_l%7C468x833_r&amp;bz=0.9&amp;pgls=CAEaBTYuOC4y~CAEQBBoHMS4xNjAuMQ..~CAEQBRoGMy4zMS4z&amp;num_ads=1&amp;ifi=10&amp;uci=a!a&amp;btvi=7&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=424\" name=\"aswift_9\" width=\"1200\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!a\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-google-query-id=\"CKW5ldG8_pEDFQAEgwMdb1QBNQ\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<p data-start=\"3521\" data-end=\"3549\">Common hiding spots include:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3551\" data-end=\"3822\">\n<li data-start=\"3551\" data-end=\"3578\">\n<p data-start=\"3553\" data-end=\"3578\">Piles of wood or lumber<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3579\" data-end=\"3603\">\n<p data-start=\"3581\" data-end=\"3603\">Brush and leaf piles<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3604\" data-end=\"3637\">\n<p data-start=\"3606\" data-end=\"3637\">Outdoor dog houses or kennels<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3638\" data-end=\"3681\">\n<p data-start=\"3640\" data-end=\"3681\">Barns, sheds, and outdoor storage areas<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3682\" data-end=\"3709\">\n<p data-start=\"3684\" data-end=\"3709\">Under porches and decks<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3710\" data-end=\"3746\">\n<p data-start=\"3712\" data-end=\"3746\">Cracks in home siding or roofing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3747\" data-end=\"3777\">\n<p data-start=\"3749\" data-end=\"3777\">Rock piles and garden beds<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3778\" data-end=\"3822\">\n<p data-start=\"3780\" data-end=\"3822\">Near lighting where other insects gather<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3824\" data-end=\"4090\">They are excellent at hiding during the day and become active at night, making them difficult to detect. Their natural instinct is to seek out warm-blooded animals, which is why they often enter homes through tiny cracks or gaps, especially during hot summer nights.<\/p>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9153507942483523\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_10_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_10\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?gdpr=0&amp;client=ca-pub-9153507942483523&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;adk=2388676835&amp;adf=3948021009&amp;w=1200&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1767962255&amp;rafmt=1&amp;armr=3&amp;sem=mc&amp;pwprc=3606350633&amp;ad_type=text_image&amp;format=1200x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-3%2F%23google_vignette&amp;host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&amp;fwr=0&amp;pra=3&amp;rh=200&amp;rw=1200&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;aieuf=1&amp;aicrs=1&amp;fa=27&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTQzLjAuNzQ5OS4xNzAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJOb3QgQShCcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=7&amp;dt=1767962251943&amp;bpp=7&amp;bdt=6554&amp;idt=7&amp;shv=r20260107&amp;mjsv=m202601060101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3De16542e01977e563%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MbvLuhJCybUKzZV35E0jMrnT5iI0g&amp;gpic=UID%3D000011983e29c2d5%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MZB8yVrtVcRjwaJ3hXeGU5UD3Gmig&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D66c460d9dce54eaf%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DAA-AfjarcVvSZfNX2llEqtkoFa4_&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C728x90%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C2116x1058%2C1005x124%2C1200x280&amp;nras=12&amp;correlator=439671198580&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=420&amp;u_his=3&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1040&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=2682&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1058&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=42532523%2C95378599%2C95379213%2C95379897%2C31096171%2C95344788%2C95375758%2C95340253%2C95340255&amp;oid=2&amp;pvsid=6806317701508157&amp;tmod=1273152514&amp;uas=3&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-4%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawPN1cNicmlkETFETmk0Sm5NcUYyR2NUSG5Lc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkpSdT3ZwsY29OlGAR5so1iZOyKpewzsVcMyBNCKaAy7Lk2yTqqoaFWaAD5x%26brid%3D49JMZPHH1gpZBk7a-brZRA&amp;fc=1408&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1040%2C2133%2C1058&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&amp;abl=NS&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;plas=404x833_l%7C468x833_r&amp;bz=0.9&amp;pgls=CAEaBTYuOC4y~CAEQBBoHMS4xNjAuMQ..~CAEQBRoGMy4zMS4z&amp;num_ads=1&amp;ifi=11&amp;uci=a!b&amp;btvi=10&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=3293\" name=\"aswift_10\" width=\"1200\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!b\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-query-id=\"CO7ixdK8_pEDFSzZPAId6foxmw\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<p data-start=\"4092\" data-end=\"4169\">Experts believe several factors are contributing to their increased presence:<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"4171\" data-end=\"4494\">\n<li data-start=\"4171\" data-end=\"4253\">\n<p data-start=\"4174\" data-end=\"4253\"><strong data-start=\"4174\" data-end=\"4192\">Climate change<\/strong>\u00a0causing warmer conditions that allow populations to expand<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4254\" data-end=\"4333\">\n<p data-start=\"4257\" data-end=\"4333\"><strong data-start=\"4257\" data-end=\"4285\">Rising urban development<\/strong>, pushing insects closer to human living areas<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4334\" data-end=\"4412\">\n<p data-start=\"4337\" data-end=\"4412\"><strong data-start=\"4337\" data-end=\"4371\">Growth in wildlife populations<\/strong>, which serve as hosts for the parasite<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4413\" data-end=\"4494\">\n<p data-start=\"4416\" data-end=\"4494\"><strong data-start=\"4416\" data-end=\"4451\">Greater awareness and reporting<\/strong>, revealing how widespread they truly are<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"4496\" data-end=\"4568\">This combination has made assassin bugs a growing public health concern.<\/p>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9153507942483523\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_11_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_11\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?gdpr=0&amp;client=ca-pub-9153507942483523&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;adk=2388676835&amp;adf=2544566378&amp;w=1200&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1767962255&amp;rafmt=1&amp;armr=3&amp;sem=mc&amp;pwprc=3606350633&amp;ad_type=text_image&amp;format=1200x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-3%2F%23google_vignette&amp;host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&amp;fwr=0&amp;pra=3&amp;rh=200&amp;rw=1200&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;aieuf=1&amp;aicrs=1&amp;fa=27&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTQzLjAuNzQ5OS4xNzAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJOb3QgQShCcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=7&amp;dt=1767962251974&amp;bpp=7&amp;bdt=6585&amp;idt=7&amp;shv=r20260107&amp;mjsv=m202601060101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3De16542e01977e563%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MbvLuhJCybUKzZV35E0jMrnT5iI0g&amp;gpic=UID%3D000011983e29c2d5%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MZB8yVrtVcRjwaJ3hXeGU5UD3Gmig&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D66c460d9dce54eaf%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DAA-AfjarcVvSZfNX2llEqtkoFa4_&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C728x90%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C2116x1058%2C1005x124%2C1200x280%2C1200x280&amp;nras=13&amp;correlator=439671198580&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=420&amp;u_his=3&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1040&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=3231&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1058&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=42532523%2C95378599%2C95379213%2C95379897%2C31096171%2C95344788%2C95375758%2C95340253%2C95340255&amp;oid=2&amp;pvsid=6806317701508157&amp;tmod=1273152514&amp;uas=3&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-4%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawPN1cNicmlkETFETmk0Sm5NcUYyR2NUSG5Lc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkpSdT3ZwsY29OlGAR5so1iZOyKpewzsVcMyBNCKaAy7Lk2yTqqoaFWaAD5x%26brid%3D49JMZPHH1gpZBk7a-brZRA&amp;fc=1408&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1040%2C2133%2C1058&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&amp;abl=NS&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;plas=404x833_l%7C468x833_r&amp;bz=0.9&amp;pgls=CAEaBTYuOC4y~CAEQBBoHMS4xNjAuMQ..~CAEQBRoGMy4zMS4z&amp;num_ads=1&amp;ifi=12&amp;uci=a!c&amp;btvi=11&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=3276\" name=\"aswift_11\" width=\"1200\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!c\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-google-query-id=\"CIPGxdK8_pEDFeOuSwUdmQMPfw\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<p data-start=\"4496\" data-end=\"4568\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-12207 lzl-ed lzl-cached\" src=\"https:\/\/likya.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chagas-Disease-170040-1-600x540.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"354\" height=\"319\" data-lzl-src=\"https:\/\/likya.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Chagas-Disease-170040-1-600x540.webp\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"4575\" data-end=\"4629\"><strong data-start=\"4578\" data-end=\"4629\">Understanding the Risk: What Is Chagas Disease?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4631\" data-end=\"4919\">Chagas disease is a parasitic infection that has been recognized in Latin America for decades, but it is becoming more common in the United States. The infection occurs when the\u00a0<em data-start=\"4809\" data-end=\"4828\">Trypanosoma cruzi<\/em>\u00a0parasite enters the body through broken skin or mucous membranes after a kissing bug bite.<\/p>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9153507942483523\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_12_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_12\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?gdpr=0&amp;client=ca-pub-9153507942483523&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;adk=2388676835&amp;adf=3527754864&amp;w=1200&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1767962255&amp;rafmt=1&amp;armr=3&amp;sem=mc&amp;pwprc=3606350633&amp;ad_type=text_image&amp;format=1200x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-3%2F%23google_vignette&amp;host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&amp;fwr=0&amp;pra=3&amp;rh=200&amp;rw=1200&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;aieuf=1&amp;aicrs=1&amp;fa=27&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTQzLjAuNzQ5OS4xNzAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJOb3QgQShCcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=7&amp;dt=1767962252013&amp;bpp=5&amp;bdt=6624&amp;idt=5&amp;shv=r20260107&amp;mjsv=m202601060101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3De16542e01977e563%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MbvLuhJCybUKzZV35E0jMrnT5iI0g&amp;gpic=UID%3D000011983e29c2d5%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MZB8yVrtVcRjwaJ3hXeGU5UD3Gmig&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D66c460d9dce54eaf%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DAA-AfjarcVvSZfNX2llEqtkoFa4_&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C728x90%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C2116x1058%2C1005x124&amp;nras=11&amp;correlator=439671198580&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=420&amp;u_his=3&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1040&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=3984&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1058&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=42532523%2C95378599%2C95379213%2C95379897%2C31096171%2C95344788%2C95375758%2C95340253%2C95340255&amp;oid=2&amp;pvsid=6806317701508157&amp;tmod=1273152514&amp;uas=3&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-4%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawPN1cNicmlkETFETmk0Sm5NcUYyR2NUSG5Lc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkpSdT3ZwsY29OlGAR5so1iZOyKpewzsVcMyBNCKaAy7Lk2yTqqoaFWaAD5x%26brid%3D49JMZPHH1gpZBk7a-brZRA&amp;fc=1408&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1040%2C2133%2C1058&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&amp;abl=NS&amp;cms=2&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;plas=404x833_l%7C468x833_r&amp;bz=0.9&amp;pgls=CAEaBTYuOC4y~CAEQBBoHMS4xNjAuMQ..~CAEQBRoGMy4zMS4z&amp;num_ads=1&amp;ifi=13&amp;uci=a!d&amp;btvi=9&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=3205\" name=\"aswift_12\" width=\"1200\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!d\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-query-id=\"CN2ZxdK8_pEDFSWbSwUdYYgg2g\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<p data-start=\"4921\" data-end=\"5122\">What makes the disease especially dangerous is that\u00a0<strong data-start=\"4973\" data-end=\"5020\">many people do not notice symptoms at first<\/strong>. Some may experience mild signs that feel like a simple cold or flu, not realizing what has occurred.<\/p>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9153507942483523\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_13_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_13\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?gdpr=0&amp;client=ca-pub-9153507942483523&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;adk=2388676835&amp;adf=3177637779&amp;w=1200&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1767962255&amp;rafmt=1&amp;armr=3&amp;sem=mc&amp;pwprc=3606350633&amp;ad_type=text_image&amp;format=1200x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-3%2F%23google_vignette&amp;host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&amp;fwr=0&amp;pra=3&amp;rh=200&amp;rw=1200&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;aieuf=1&amp;aicrs=1&amp;fa=27&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTQzLjAuNzQ5OS4xNzAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJOb3QgQShCcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=7&amp;dt=1767962252042&amp;bpp=6&amp;bdt=6653&amp;idt=6&amp;shv=r20260107&amp;mjsv=m202601060101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3De16542e01977e563%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MbvLuhJCybUKzZV35E0jMrnT5iI0g&amp;gpic=UID%3D000011983e29c2d5%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MZB8yVrtVcRjwaJ3hXeGU5UD3Gmig&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D66c460d9dce54eaf%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DAA-AfjarcVvSZfNX2llEqtkoFa4_&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C728x90%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C2116x1058%2C1005x124%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280&amp;nras=14&amp;correlator=439671198580&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=420&amp;u_his=3&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1040&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=3498&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1058&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=42532523%2C95378599%2C95379213%2C95379897%2C31096171%2C95344788%2C95375758%2C95340253%2C95340255&amp;oid=2&amp;pvsid=6806317701508157&amp;tmod=1273152514&amp;uas=3&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-4%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawPN1cNicmlkETFETmk0Sm5NcUYyR2NUSG5Lc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkpSdT3ZwsY29OlGAR5so1iZOyKpewzsVcMyBNCKaAy7Lk2yTqqoaFWaAD5x%26brid%3D49JMZPHH1gpZBk7a-brZRA&amp;fc=1408&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1040%2C2133%2C1058&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&amp;abl=NS&amp;cms=2&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;plas=404x833_l%7C468x833_r&amp;bz=0.9&amp;pgls=CAEaBTYuOC4y~CAEQBBoHMS4xNjAuMQ..~CAEQBRoGMy4zMS4z&amp;num_ads=1&amp;ifi=14&amp;uci=a!e&amp;btvi=12&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=3581\" name=\"aswift_13\" width=\"1200\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!e\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-google-query-id=\"CL3I49K8_pEDFUkVgwMdG10tfg\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<h3 data-start=\"5124\" data-end=\"5159\"><strong data-start=\"5128\" data-end=\"5159\">Early symptoms may include:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"5161\" data-end=\"5312\">\n<li data-start=\"5161\" data-end=\"5174\">\n<p data-start=\"5163\" data-end=\"5174\">Headaches<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5175\" data-end=\"5184\">\n<p data-start=\"5177\" data-end=\"5184\">Fever<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5185\" data-end=\"5213\">\n<p data-start=\"5187\" data-end=\"5213\">Fatigue and muscle aches<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5214\" data-end=\"5224\">\n<p data-start=\"5216\" data-end=\"5224\">Rashes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5225\" data-end=\"5253\">\n<p data-start=\"5227\" data-end=\"5253\">Swelling around the bite<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5254\" data-end=\"5281\">\n<p data-start=\"5256\" data-end=\"5281\">Mild nausea or vomiting<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5282\" data-end=\"5312\">\n<p data-start=\"5284\" data-end=\"5312\">Irritation around the eyes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5314\" data-end=\"5410\">These symptoms may disappear on their own, but the parasite can continue living inside the body.<\/p>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9153507942483523\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_14_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_14\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?gdpr=0&amp;client=ca-pub-9153507942483523&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;adk=2388676835&amp;adf=1469165302&amp;w=1200&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1767962255&amp;rafmt=1&amp;armr=3&amp;sem=mc&amp;pwprc=3606350633&amp;ad_type=text_image&amp;format=1200x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-3%2F%23google_vignette&amp;host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&amp;fwr=0&amp;pra=3&amp;rh=200&amp;rw=1200&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;aieuf=1&amp;aicrs=1&amp;fa=27&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTQzLjAuNzQ5OS4xNzAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJOb3QgQShCcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=7&amp;dt=1767962252074&amp;bpp=6&amp;bdt=6685&amp;idt=6&amp;shv=r20260107&amp;mjsv=m202601060101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3De16542e01977e563%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MbvLuhJCybUKzZV35E0jMrnT5iI0g&amp;gpic=UID%3D000011983e29c2d5%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MZB8yVrtVcRjwaJ3hXeGU5UD3Gmig&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D66c460d9dce54eaf%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DAA-AfjarcVvSZfNX2llEqtkoFa4_&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C728x90%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C2116x1058%2C1005x124%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280&amp;nras=15&amp;correlator=439671198580&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=420&amp;u_his=3&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1040&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=4200&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1058&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=42532523%2C95378599%2C95379213%2C95379897%2C31096171%2C95344788%2C95375758%2C95340253%2C95340255&amp;oid=2&amp;pvsid=6806317701508157&amp;tmod=1273152514&amp;uas=3&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-4%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawPN1cNicmlkETFETmk0Sm5NcUYyR2NUSG5Lc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkpSdT3ZwsY29OlGAR5so1iZOyKpewzsVcMyBNCKaAy7Lk2yTqqoaFWaAD5x%26brid%3D49JMZPHH1gpZBk7a-brZRA&amp;fc=1408&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1040%2C2133%2C1058&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&amp;abl=NS&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;plas=404x833_l%7C468x833_r&amp;bz=0.9&amp;pgls=CAEaBTYuOC4y~CAEQBBoHMS4xNjAuMQ..~CAEQBRoGMy4zMS4z&amp;num_ads=1&amp;ifi=15&amp;uci=a!f&amp;btvi=13&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=3565\" name=\"aswift_14\" width=\"1200\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!f\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-query-id=\"CJfg5dK8_pEDFdvbPAId5pMe2w\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<h3 data-start=\"5412\" data-end=\"5442\"><strong data-start=\"5416\" data-end=\"5442\">Long-term consequences<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9153507942483523\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_15_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_15\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?gdpr=0&amp;client=ca-pub-9153507942483523&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;adk=2388676835&amp;adf=3409566090&amp;w=1200&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1767962256&amp;rafmt=1&amp;armr=3&amp;sem=mc&amp;pwprc=3606350633&amp;ad_type=text_image&amp;format=1200x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-3%2F&amp;host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&amp;fwr=0&amp;pra=3&amp;rh=200&amp;rw=1200&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;aieuf=1&amp;aicrs=1&amp;fa=27&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTQzLjAuNzQ5OS4xNzAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJOb3QgQShCcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=7&amp;dt=1767962252105&amp;bpp=6&amp;bdt=6716&amp;idt=7&amp;shv=r20260107&amp;mjsv=m202601060101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3De16542e01977e563%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MbvLuhJCybUKzZV35E0jMrnT5iI0g&amp;gpic=UID%3D000011983e29c2d5%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MZB8yVrtVcRjwaJ3hXeGU5UD3Gmig&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D66c460d9dce54eaf%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DAA-AfjarcVvSZfNX2llEqtkoFa4_&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C728x90%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C2116x1058%2C1005x124%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280&amp;nras=16&amp;correlator=439671198580&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=420&amp;u_his=3&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1040&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=3985&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1058&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=0&amp;eid=42532523%2C95378599%2C95379213%2C95379897%2C31096171%2C95344788%2C95375758%2C95340253%2C95340255&amp;oid=2&amp;psts=AOrYGsmJWSvOnUkyE4U2NkFQu4CNSE81YCRURD7UT3OokLj0aADgvv24Kwvu6_3Bt-leHhoRAphXdaJQxSSH6pLgF7Q9zggPwkQ2y8TpW77bGZWqWi-xBKDZR7Qp2fSbTqpy3w&amp;pvsid=6806317701508157&amp;tmod=1273152514&amp;uas=3&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-4%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawPN1cNicmlkETFETmk0Sm5NcUYyR2NUSG5Lc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkpSdT3ZwsY29OlGAR5so1iZOyKpewzsVcMyBNCKaAy7Lk2yTqqoaFWaAD5x%26brid%3D49JMZPHH1gpZBk7a-brZRA&amp;fc=1408&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1040%2C2133%2C1058&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&amp;abl=NS&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;plas=404x833_l%7C468x833_r&amp;bz=0.9&amp;pgls=CAEaBTYuOC4y~CAEQBBoHMS4xNjAuMQ..~CAEQBRoGMy4zMS4z&amp;num_ads=1&amp;ifi=16&amp;uci=a!g&amp;btvi=14&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=4673\" name=\"aswift_15\" width=\"1200\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!g\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-google-query-id=\"CLXvrNO8_pEDFY4agwMdIckARw\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<p data-start=\"5443\" data-end=\"5585\">Over time \u2014 often years later \u2014 the infection can begin affecting the heart or digestive system. In serious cases, Chagas disease can lead to:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"5587\" data-end=\"5681\">\n<li data-start=\"5587\" data-end=\"5616\">\n<p data-start=\"5589\" data-end=\"5616\">Heart rhythm disturbances<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5617\" data-end=\"5635\">\n<p data-start=\"5619\" data-end=\"5635\">Enlarged heart<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5636\" data-end=\"5653\">\n<p data-start=\"5638\" data-end=\"5653\">Heart failure<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5654\" data-end=\"5681\">\n<p data-start=\"5656\" data-end=\"5681\">Digestive complications<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5683\" data-end=\"5861\">This is why\u00a0<strong data-start=\"5695\" data-end=\"5728\">early detection and treatment<\/strong>\u00a0is critical. If the parasite is caught early, doctors can prescribe medication to stop the infection before long-term damage occurs.<\/p>\n<div class=\"google-auto-placed ap_container\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle adsbygoogle-noablate\" data-ad-format=\"auto\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-9153507942483523\" data-adsbygoogle-status=\"done\" data-ad-status=\"unfilled\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"aswift_16_host\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"aswift_16\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"Advertisement\" src=\"https:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/pagead\/ads?gdpr=0&amp;client=ca-pub-9153507942483523&amp;output=html&amp;h=280&amp;adk=2388676835&amp;adf=3483895381&amp;w=1200&amp;fwrn=4&amp;fwrnh=100&amp;lmt=1767962271&amp;rafmt=1&amp;armr=3&amp;sem=mc&amp;pwprc=3606350633&amp;ad_type=text_image&amp;format=1200x280&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-3%2F&amp;host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&amp;fwr=0&amp;pra=3&amp;rh=200&amp;rw=1200&amp;rpe=1&amp;resp_fmts=3&amp;aieuf=1&amp;aicrs=1&amp;fa=27&amp;uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiMTAuMC4wIiwieDg2IiwiIiwiMTQzLjAuNzQ5OS4xNzAiLG51bGwsMCxudWxsLCI2NCIsW1siR29vZ2xlIENocm9tZSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjE0My4wLjc0OTkuMTcwIl0sWyJOb3QgQShCcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl1dLDBd&amp;abgtt=7&amp;dt=1767962252138&amp;bpp=5&amp;bdt=6749&amp;idt=5&amp;shv=r20260107&amp;mjsv=m202601060101&amp;ptt=9&amp;saldr=aa&amp;abxe=1&amp;cookie=ID%3De16542e01977e563%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MbvLuhJCybUKzZV35E0jMrnT5iI0g&amp;gpic=UID%3D000011983e29c2d5%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DALNI_MZB8yVrtVcRjwaJ3hXeGU5UD3Gmig&amp;eo_id_str=ID%3D66c460d9dce54eaf%3AT%3D1758202754%3ART%3D1767962238%3AS%3DAA-AfjarcVvSZfNX2llEqtkoFa4_&amp;prev_fmts=0x0%2C728x90%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C2116x1058%2C1005x124%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280%2C1200x280&amp;nras=17&amp;correlator=439671198580&amp;frm=20&amp;pv=1&amp;u_tz=420&amp;u_his=3&amp;u_h=1080&amp;u_w=1920&amp;u_ah=1040&amp;u_aw=1920&amp;u_cd=24&amp;u_sd=0.9&amp;dmc=8&amp;adx=458&amp;ady=4282&amp;biw=2116&amp;bih=1058&amp;scr_x=0&amp;scr_y=63&amp;eid=42532523%2C95378599%2C95379213%2C95379897%2C31096171%2C95344788%2C95375758%2C95340253%2C95340255&amp;oid=2&amp;psts=AOrYGsmJWSvOnUkyE4U2NkFQu4CNSE81YCRURD7UT3OokLj0aADgvv24Kwvu6_3Bt-leHhoRAphXdaJQxSSH6pLgF7Q9zggPwkQ2y8TpW77bGZWqWi-xBKDZR7Qp2fSbTqpy3w&amp;pvsid=6806317701508157&amp;tmod=1273152514&amp;uas=1&amp;nvt=1&amp;ref=https%3A%2F%2Flikya.org%2Fsteps-to-take-after-being-bitten-by-an-assassin-bug-4%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawPN1cNicmlkETFETmk0Sm5NcUYyR2NUSG5Lc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkpSdT3ZwsY29OlGAR5so1iZOyKpewzsVcMyBNCKaAy7Lk2yTqqoaFWaAD5x%26brid%3D49JMZPHH1gpZBk7a-brZRA&amp;fc=1408&amp;brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1920%2C0%2C1920%2C1040%2C2133%2C1058&amp;vis=1&amp;rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&amp;abl=NS&amp;fu=128&amp;bc=31&amp;plas=404x833_l%7C468x833_r&amp;bz=0.9&amp;pgls=CAEaBTYuOC4y~CAEQBBoHMS4xNjAuMQ..~CAEQBRoGMy4zMS4z&amp;num_ads=1&amp;ifi=17&amp;uci=a!h&amp;btvi=15&amp;fsb=1&amp;dtd=19608\" name=\"aswift_16\" width=\"1200\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" data-google-container-id=\"a!h\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\" data-load-complete=\"true\" data-google-query-id=\"CN3Ps9q8_pEDFTmdSwUdi_8V0g\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/ins><\/div>\n<p data-start=\"5683\" data-end=\"5861\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-12208 lzl-ed lzl-cached\" src=\"https:\/\/likya.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/190627-F-O3755-0001-600x540.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"329\" height=\"296\" data-lzl-src=\"https:\/\/likya.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/190627-F-O3755-0001-600x540.png\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"5868\" data-end=\"5890\"><strong data-start=\"5871\" data-end=\"5890\">Who Is at Risk?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"5892\" data-end=\"5975\">Everyone can be bitten by an assassin bug, but certain groups may face higher risk:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"5977\" data-end=\"6196\">\n<li data-start=\"5977\" data-end=\"6019\">\n<p data-start=\"5979\" data-end=\"6019\">People living in rural or wooded areas<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6020\" data-end=\"6060\">\n<p data-start=\"6022\" data-end=\"6060\">Households with dogs or outdoor pets<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6061\" data-end=\"6093\">\n<p data-start=\"6063\" data-end=\"6093\">Residents of Southern states<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6094\" data-end=\"6149\">\n<p data-start=\"6096\" data-end=\"6149\">People who spend time gardening or working outdoors<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6150\" data-end=\"6196\">\n<p data-start=\"6152\" data-end=\"6196\">Those living in older or less sealed homes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6198\" data-end=\"6312\">Because the bugs can enter through tiny openings, even well-maintained homes can experience occasional intrusions.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"6319\" data-end=\"6383\"><strong data-start=\"6322\" data-end=\"6383\">Prevention: How to Keep Assassin Bugs Away From Your Home<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"6385\" data-end=\"6492\">While the insect poses a real risk, there are many practical steps families can take to protect themselves:<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"6494\" data-end=\"6522\"><strong data-start=\"6498\" data-end=\"6522\">1. Seal entry points<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"6523\" data-end=\"6539\">Caulk cracks in:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"6541\" data-end=\"6615\">\n<li data-start=\"6541\" data-end=\"6552\">\n<p data-start=\"6543\" data-end=\"6552\">Windows<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6553\" data-end=\"6562\">\n<p data-start=\"6555\" data-end=\"6562\">Doors<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6563\" data-end=\"6572\">\n<p data-start=\"6565\" data-end=\"6572\">Walls<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6573\" data-end=\"6587\">\n<p data-start=\"6575\" data-end=\"6587\">Roof edges<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6588\" data-end=\"6598\">\n<p data-start=\"6590\" data-end=\"6598\">Attics<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6599\" data-end=\"6615\">\n<p data-start=\"6601\" data-end=\"6615\">Crawl spaces<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6617\" data-end=\"6658\">Even small gaps can allow insects inside.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"6660\" data-end=\"6694\"><strong data-start=\"6664\" data-end=\"6694\">2. Reduce outdoor lighting<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"6695\" data-end=\"6758\">Lights attract other insects, which then attract assassin bugs.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"6760\" data-end=\"6802\"><strong data-start=\"6764\" data-end=\"6802\">3. Keep pets\u2019 sleeping areas clean<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"6803\" data-end=\"6871\">Elevated beds and regular cleaning reduce the insects\u2019 hiding spots.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"6873\" data-end=\"6900\"><strong data-start=\"6877\" data-end=\"6900\">4. Eliminate debris<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"6901\" data-end=\"6950\">Remove piles of wood, leaves, brush, and clutter.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"6952\" data-end=\"6981\"><strong data-start=\"6956\" data-end=\"6981\">5. Maintain your yard<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"6982\" data-end=\"7057\">Trim bushes, pull weeds, and avoid overgrown areas where the bugs may hide.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"7059\" data-end=\"7081\"><strong data-start=\"7063\" data-end=\"7081\">6. Use screens<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"7082\" data-end=\"7130\">Make sure window and door screens have no holes. All of these steps help create an environment that is less appealing to assassin bugs.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"7225\" data-end=\"7264\"><strong data-start=\"7228\" data-end=\"7264\">What To Do If You Suspect a Bite<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"7266\" data-end=\"7343\">If you believe you have been bitten, especially if symptoms appear afterward:<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"7345\" data-end=\"7671\">\n<li data-start=\"7345\" data-end=\"7405\">\n<p data-start=\"7348\" data-end=\"7405\"><strong data-start=\"7348\" data-end=\"7364\">Do not panic<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 bites are treatable if caught early.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7406\" data-end=\"7494\">\n<p data-start=\"7409\" data-end=\"7494\"><strong data-start=\"7409\" data-end=\"7444\">Contact your doctor immediately<\/strong>\u00a0and mention the possibility of Chagas exposure.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7495\" data-end=\"7558\">\n<p data-start=\"7498\" data-end=\"7558\"><strong data-start=\"7498\" data-end=\"7522\">Request a blood test<\/strong>\u00a0to check for\u00a0<em data-start=\"7536\" data-end=\"7555\">Trypanosoma cruzi<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7559\" data-end=\"7620\">\n<p data-start=\"7562\" data-end=\"7620\"><strong data-start=\"7562\" data-end=\"7582\">Avoid scratching<\/strong>\u00a0the bite area to prevent infection.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7621\" data-end=\"7671\">\n<p data-start=\"7624\" data-end=\"7671\"><strong data-start=\"7624\" data-end=\"7644\">Monitor symptoms<\/strong>\u00a0over the following days.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"7673\" data-end=\"7740\">Early treatment is highly effective and prevents long-term effects.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7673\" data-end=\"7740\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-12209 lzl-cached lzl-ed\" src=\"https:\/\/likya.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/069-600x540.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"346\" height=\"311\" data-lzl-src=\"https:\/\/likya.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/069-600x540.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"7747\" data-end=\"7794\"><strong data-start=\"7750\" data-end=\"7794\">Why Awareness Matters Now More Than Ever<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"7796\" data-end=\"8041\">Understanding the assassin bug is not about causing fear \u2014 it\u2019s about empowerment. Many people spend summers outdoors, unaware that this insect even exists. By sharing reliable information, families can stay safe while still enjoying the season.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8043\" data-end=\"8233\">Awareness saves lives. And now that you have a deeper understanding of these insects \u2014 where they live, how they spread disease, and how to protect yourself \u2014 you\u2019re already safer than most.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"447\" data-end=\"976\">As the public becomes more aware of assassin bugs and the potential dangers associated with them, one of the most important steps is continued education. Understanding the biology of the insect, how infections spread, and what long-term health effects look like helps families stay informed and empowered.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"447\" data-end=\"976\">In this second part of the expanded article, we will explore lesser-known aspects of Chagas disease, real-world cases, expert recommendations, and how to build a safer home environment for you, your children, and your pets.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"983\" data-end=\"1041\"><strong data-start=\"986\" data-end=\"1041\">How Infection Progresses and Why It Is Often Missed<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"1043\" data-end=\"1198\">Chagas disease is unique because it develops in phases. This makes the infection particularly challenging for doctors to diagnose without specific testing.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1200\" data-end=\"1232\"><strong data-start=\"1204\" data-end=\"1232\">Phase 1: Acute Infection<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1233\" data-end=\"1312\">This phase usually lasts\u00a0<strong data-start=\"1258\" data-end=\"1274\">4 to 8 weeks<\/strong>\u00a0after exposure. Symptoms may include:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1314\" data-end=\"1469\">\n<li data-start=\"1314\" data-end=\"1323\">\n<p data-start=\"1316\" data-end=\"1323\">Fever<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1324\" data-end=\"1335\">\n<p data-start=\"1326\" data-end=\"1335\">Fatigue<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1336\" data-end=\"1350\">\n<p data-start=\"1338\" data-end=\"1350\">Body aches<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1351\" data-end=\"1361\">\n<p data-start=\"1353\" data-end=\"1361\">Rashes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1362\" data-end=\"1392\">\n<p data-start=\"1364\" data-end=\"1392\">Irritation around the eyes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1393\" data-end=\"1422\">\n<p data-start=\"1395\" data-end=\"1422\">Swelling at the bite area<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1423\" data-end=\"1443\">\n<p data-start=\"1425\" data-end=\"1443\">Loss of appetite<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1444\" data-end=\"1469\">\n<p data-start=\"1446\" data-end=\"1469\">Mild digestive issues<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1471\" data-end=\"1618\">Many people mistake this for a passing illness and never seek medical care. The symptoms fade \u2014 but the parasite may remain active inside the body.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1620\" data-end=\"1659\"><strong data-start=\"1624\" data-end=\"1659\">Phase 2: Silent or Latent Phase<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1660\" data-end=\"1888\">This phase can last for\u00a0<strong data-start=\"1684\" data-end=\"1709\">years or even decades<\/strong>. The person feels completely healthy. There is no sign of infection. In fact, experts estimate that\u00a0<strong data-start=\"1810\" data-end=\"1887\">up to 30% of people infected in the United States never know they have it<\/strong>. But the parasite continues to live deep within the tissues.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1951\" data-end=\"1981\"><strong data-start=\"1955\" data-end=\"1981\">Phase 3: Chronic Phase<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1982\" data-end=\"2046\">This is where long-term complications appear. These may include:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2048\" data-end=\"2173\">\n<li data-start=\"2048\" data-end=\"2071\">\n<p data-start=\"2050\" data-end=\"2071\">Irregular heartbeat<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2072\" data-end=\"2090\">\n<p data-start=\"2074\" data-end=\"2090\">Enlarged heart<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2091\" data-end=\"2119\">\n<p data-start=\"2093\" data-end=\"2119\">Congestive heart failure<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2120\" data-end=\"2145\">\n<p data-start=\"2122\" data-end=\"2145\">Difficulty swallowing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2146\" data-end=\"2173\">\n<p data-start=\"2148\" data-end=\"2173\">Digestive complications<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2175\" data-end=\"2330\">Only a small percentage of infected individuals reach this stage, but because early stages show few symptoms, untreated cases can progress without warning.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2175\" data-end=\"2330\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-12210 lzl-ed lzl-cached\" src=\"https:\/\/likya.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/HGIC_predators_assassinbug_16x9-600x540.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"315\" data-lzl-src=\"https:\/\/likya.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/HGIC_predators_assassinbug_16x9-600x540.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"2337\" data-end=\"2383\"><strong data-start=\"2340\" data-end=\"2383\">Real Cases That Raised Public Awareness<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2385\" data-end=\"2544\">Although Chagas disease is often associated with Central and South America, several high-profile cases in the United States have brought attention to the risk.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2546\" data-end=\"2608\"><strong data-start=\"2550\" data-end=\"2608\">Case 1: The Texas Family Who Woke Up to an Infestation<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2609\" data-end=\"2808\">A family in Central Texas discovered dozens of assassin bugs inside their home. Their dog tested positive for exposure, leading veterinarians to warn local communities about increasing cases in pets.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2810\" data-end=\"2866\"><strong data-start=\"2814\" data-end=\"2866\">Case 2: The Georgia Woman Misdiagnosed for Years<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2867\" data-end=\"3047\">A woman from rural Georgia experienced years of unusual heart problems. Only after consulting a specialist did she learn she had unknowingly contracted Chagas disease in her teens.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3049\" data-end=\"3086\"><strong data-start=\"3053\" data-end=\"3086\">Case 3: The Arizona Pet Owner<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3087\" data-end=\"3300\">In Phoenix, veterinarians began reporting higher numbers of pets testing positive for exposure even when owners had never noticed bugs in their home. This case demonstrated how easily the insects can go unnoticed.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3302\" data-end=\"3450\">These examples remind us that the risk is not limited to rural areas; assassin bugs can enter suburban neighborhoods and even well-maintained homes.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"3457\" data-end=\"3519\"><strong data-start=\"3460\" data-end=\"3519\">Protecting Pets: An Often Overlooked Part of Prevention<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3521\" data-end=\"3687\">Dogs are especially vulnerable because they spend so much time outside. They may sleep in kennels, under porches, or in shaded areas where assassin bugs like to hide.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3689\" data-end=\"3739\"><strong data-start=\"3693\" data-end=\"3739\">Signs a pet may have been exposed include:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"3741\" data-end=\"3846\">\n<li data-start=\"3741\" data-end=\"3753\">\n<p data-start=\"3743\" data-end=\"3753\">Lethargy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3754\" data-end=\"3774\">\n<p data-start=\"3756\" data-end=\"3774\">Loss of appetite<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3775\" data-end=\"3801\">\n<p data-start=\"3777\" data-end=\"3801\">Swelling near the eyes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3802\" data-end=\"3826\">\n<p data-start=\"3804\" data-end=\"3826\">Difficulty breathing<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3827\" data-end=\"3846\">\n<p data-start=\"3829\" data-end=\"3846\">Sudden weakness<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3848\" data-end=\"3964\">Because pets often move around at night, the chances of being bitten are higher. For this reason, pet owners should:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3966\" data-end=\"4144\">\n<li data-start=\"3966\" data-end=\"4003\">\n<p data-start=\"3968\" data-end=\"4003\">Keep outdoor sleeping areas clean<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4004\" data-end=\"4029\">\n<p data-start=\"4006\" data-end=\"4029\">Use elevated dog beds<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4030\" data-end=\"4060\">\n<p data-start=\"4032\" data-end=\"4060\">Check dog houses regularly<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4061\" data-end=\"4089\">\n<p data-start=\"4063\" data-end=\"4089\">Seal gaps around porches<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4090\" data-end=\"4144\">\n<p data-start=\"4092\" data-end=\"4144\">Keep food bowls away from walls or sheltered areas<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4146\" data-end=\"4255\">Veterinarians in Southern states now routinely test for Chagas exposure in dogs showing unexplained symptoms.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"4262\" data-end=\"4335\"><strong data-start=\"4265\" data-end=\"4335\">Expert Advice: What Entomologists and Health Specialists Recommend<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"4337\" data-end=\"4519\">Professionals who study insects warn that assassin bugs are not going away. In fact, some regions may see increasing populations due to climate shifts and expanded wildlife habitats.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4521\" data-end=\"4588\">Here are key recommendations from entomologists and health experts:<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"4590\" data-end=\"4621\"><strong data-start=\"4594\" data-end=\"4621\">1. Improve home sealing<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4622\" data-end=\"4688\">Use caulk around doors, windows, siding, and utility entry points.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"4690\" data-end=\"4724\"><strong data-start=\"4694\" data-end=\"4724\">2. Reduce outdoor lighting<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4725\" data-end=\"4774\">Yellow or warm-toned bulbs attract fewer insects.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"4776\" data-end=\"4812\"><strong data-start=\"4780\" data-end=\"4812\">3. Keep sleeping areas clean<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4813\" data-end=\"4878\">Avoid letting pets sleep near cracks or gaps where bugs can hide.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"4880\" data-end=\"4922\"><strong data-start=\"4884\" data-end=\"4922\">4. Consider installing door sweeps<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4923\" data-end=\"4980\">These prevent insects from crawling under entrance doors.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"4982\" data-end=\"5026\"><strong data-start=\"4986\" data-end=\"5026\">5. Store firewood away from the home<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"5027\" data-end=\"5068\">Many assassin bugs nest in piles of wood.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"5070\" data-end=\"5099\"><strong data-start=\"5074\" data-end=\"5099\">6. Maintain your lawn<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"5100\" data-end=\"5151\">Tall grass and thick shrubs are ideal hiding spots.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5153\" data-end=\"5219\">These are simple, affordable steps that significantly reduce risk.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"5226\" data-end=\"5280\"><strong data-start=\"5229\" data-end=\"5280\">What To Do If You Catch or Kill an Assassin Bug<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"5282\" data-end=\"5401\">Identifying an assassin bug can be difficult because they resemble harmless insects. If you suspect you have found one:<\/p>\n<ol data-start=\"5403\" data-end=\"5841\">\n<li data-start=\"5403\" data-end=\"5476\">\n<p data-start=\"5406\" data-end=\"5476\"><strong data-start=\"5406\" data-end=\"5442\">Do not touch it with bare hands.<\/strong><br data-start=\"5442\" data-end=\"5445\" \/>Use gloves or a paper towel.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5478\" data-end=\"5559\">\n<p data-start=\"5481\" data-end=\"5559\"><strong data-start=\"5481\" data-end=\"5516\">Place it in a sealed container.<\/strong><br data-start=\"5516\" data-end=\"5519\" \/>This is important for identification.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5561\" data-end=\"5645\">\n<p data-start=\"5564\" data-end=\"5645\"><strong data-start=\"5564\" data-end=\"5587\">Take a clear photo.<\/strong><br data-start=\"5587\" data-end=\"5590\" \/>Entomologists can identify species from photographs.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5647\" data-end=\"5771\">\n<p data-start=\"5650\" data-end=\"5771\"><strong data-start=\"5650\" data-end=\"5690\">Contact your local health department<\/strong>\u00a0or university extension service.<br data-start=\"5723\" data-end=\"5726\" \/>They may request the specimen for testing.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5773\" data-end=\"5841\">\n<p data-start=\"5776\" data-end=\"5841\"><strong data-start=\"5776\" data-end=\"5809\">Monitor yourself for symptoms<\/strong>\u00a0if you suspect a bite occurred.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p data-start=\"5843\" data-end=\"5906\">Your quick action can help specialists track local populations.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"5913\" data-end=\"5963\"><strong data-start=\"5916\" data-end=\"5963\">Why Early Medical Attention Matters So Much<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"5965\" data-end=\"6183\">Treatment for Chagas disease is most effective when started early. Two medications \u2014 benznidazole and nifurtimox \u2014 can eliminate the parasite during early infection phases. Waiting too long reduces their effectiveness.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6185\" data-end=\"6203\">Doctors emphasize:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"6205\" data-end=\"6433\">\n<li data-start=\"6205\" data-end=\"6276\">\n<p data-start=\"6207\" data-end=\"6276\">If you suspect a bite,\u00a0<strong data-start=\"6230\" data-end=\"6273\">seek medical care even without symptoms<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6277\" data-end=\"6366\">\n<p data-start=\"6279\" data-end=\"6366\">Mention the insect specifically \u2014 many doctors are still unfamiliar with the disease.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6367\" data-end=\"6433\">\n<p data-start=\"6369\" data-end=\"6433\">Request a blood test; it is simple and can give peace of mind.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6435\" data-end=\"6498\">Many cases that become serious could have been addressed early.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"6505\" data-end=\"6569\"><strong data-start=\"6508\" data-end=\"6569\">Assassin Bugs and Children: Extra Precautions to Consider<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"6571\" data-end=\"6698\">Children are naturally curious, often sit on the ground, and may pick up insects without realizing the danger. To protect kids:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"6700\" data-end=\"6970\">\n<li data-start=\"6700\" data-end=\"6753\">\n<p data-start=\"6702\" data-end=\"6753\">Teach them not to touch bugs they cannot identify<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6754\" data-end=\"6787\">\n<p data-start=\"6756\" data-end=\"6787\">Keep outdoor play areas clean<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6788\" data-end=\"6849\">\n<p data-start=\"6790\" data-end=\"6849\">Shake out blankets and pillows during backyard activities<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6850\" data-end=\"6902\">\n<p data-start=\"6852\" data-end=\"6902\">Use screens in playhouses, treehouses, and tents<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6903\" data-end=\"6970\">\n<p data-start=\"6905\" data-end=\"6970\">Avoid letting children sleep outdoors without proper protection<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6972\" data-end=\"7057\">Kids are less likely to recognize symptoms, which makes parental awareness essential.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"7064\" data-end=\"7117\"><strong data-start=\"7067\" data-end=\"7117\">Reassurance: You Can Still Enjoy Summer Safely<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"7119\" data-end=\"7258\">Although the threat of assassin bugs is real, it should not overshadow the joy of summertime. The goal is not fear \u2014 the goal is knowledge.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7260\" data-end=\"7344\">With awareness, prevention, and quick action, the risk becomes much more manageable.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7346\" data-end=\"7360\">You can still:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"7362\" data-end=\"7465\">\n<li data-start=\"7362\" data-end=\"7372\">\n<p data-start=\"7364\" data-end=\"7372\">garden<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7373\" data-end=\"7389\">\n<p data-start=\"7375\" data-end=\"7389\">host parties<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7390\" data-end=\"7416\">\n<p data-start=\"7392\" data-end=\"7416\">take your pets outside<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7417\" data-end=\"7434\">\n<p data-start=\"7419\" data-end=\"7434\">enjoy camping<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7435\" data-end=\"7465\">\n<p data-start=\"7437\" data-end=\"7465\">let children play outdoors<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"7467\" data-end=\"7530\">All you need is basic understanding and a few preventive steps.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"7537\" data-end=\"7582\"><strong data-start=\"7540\" data-end=\"7582\">Final Message: Knowledge Is Protection<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"7584\" data-end=\"7648\">Assassin bugs may be new to many people, but now you understand:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"7650\" data-end=\"7821\">\n<li data-start=\"7650\" data-end=\"7673\">\n<p data-start=\"7652\" data-end=\"7673\">what they look like<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7674\" data-end=\"7693\">\n<p data-start=\"7676\" data-end=\"7693\">where they hide<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7694\" data-end=\"7723\">\n<p data-start=\"7696\" data-end=\"7723\">how they transmit disease<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7724\" data-end=\"7754\">\n<p data-start=\"7726\" data-end=\"7754\">what symptoms to watch for<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7755\" data-end=\"7783\">\n<p data-start=\"7757\" data-end=\"7783\">how to protect your home<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"7784\" data-end=\"7821\">\n<p data-start=\"7786\" data-end=\"7821\">what to do after a suspected bite<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"7823\" data-end=\"7905\">This knowledge empowers you to protect your family, your pets, and your community.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7907\" data-end=\"8027\">Summer should be a time of warmth, happiness, and connection \u2014 and with the right information, you can keep it that way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Steps to Take After Being Bitten by an Assassin Bug Summer is a season that many people eagerly wait for all year long \u2014 the warm sunshine, backyard barbecues, blooming &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":142,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-141","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/presspulesnews9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/presspulesnews9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/presspulesnews9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/presspulesnews9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/presspulesnews9.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=141"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/presspulesnews9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":143,"href":"https:\/\/presspulesnews9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/141\/revisions\/143"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/presspulesnews9.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/presspulesnews9.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/presspulesnews9.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/presspulesnews9.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}