{"id":1882,"date":"2026-06-11T15:05:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T15:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tucsonmovingreport.com\/?p=1882"},"modified":"2026-06-11T15:05:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T15:05:02","slug":"what-to-know-about-kissing-bugs-flying-around-southern-arizona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tucsonmovingreport.com\/?p=1882","title":{"rendered":"What to know about kissing bugs flying around southern Arizona"},"content":{"rendered":"
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TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – As temperatures warm up across southern Arizona, more desert critters are coming out\u2014including an insect that can deliver an unwanted \u201ckiss.\u201d<\/p>\n

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They\u2019re called kissing bugs because they often bite people around the face, especially while someone is asleep. Experts say the bugs are attracted to warmth and the carbon dioxide we breathe out. This time of year, adult kissing bugs are more likely to be seen as they begin flying around dusk to find mates\u2014and they can sometimes make their way inside homes.<\/p>\n

Kissing bugs are typically active at night, more common in desert areas, and measure about half an inch to one inch long. They have a flat, oval-shaped body, often dark brown or black, with orange or red markings along the edges.<\/p>\n

Ellen Santos, an epidemiology manager with the Pima County Health Department, says kissing bugs often stay hidden in places like pack rat dens, where they can feed without moving far. But once the bugs mature into adults and need to disperse, that\u2019s when people may start spotting them more often.<\/p>\n

A kissing bug bite is often mild, and some people may not even feel it. However, in some cases, bites can cause a serious allergic reaction, including swelling and inflammation.<\/p>\n

Some kissing bugs can also carry a parasite that causes Chagas disease\u2014an infection that can begin with flu-like symptoms, but in more serious cases can lead to long-term heart or digestive problems. Health officials stress Chagas is not spread person-to-person, and it isn\u2019t spread by the bite itself. Transmission can happen if an infected bug leaves feces near the bite and it gets into the skin.<\/p>\n

If you find a kissing bug in your home, don\u2019t touch it with bare hands. The Pima County Health Department can accept bugs for testing. If you choose to kill it instead, officials recommend doing so inside a sealed plastic bag to avoid contact.<\/p>\n

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You can also consider treating around your home with an appropriate insecticide and taking steps to reduce attractants and hiding spots.<\/p>\n

Tips to keep kissing bugs out<\/h3>\n