An insect known as the kissing bug is popping up all over social media, and somehow the warnings are a little out of proportion with the amount of risk the insect actually poses.

Kissing bugs live in most of the southern half of the United States including Kansas, but they are historically widespread and rarely make their way into homes. Even then, infection from the insects’ bites takes special circumstances and is rare in the U.S.

The main reason for concern is a parasite carried by about half of the kissing bug population. Infection by the parasite is known as Chagas disease, and it can cause cardiac, digestive, neurological or mixed alterations. According to the World Health Organization, cardiac alterations affect up to 30 percent of people chronically infected with Chagas disease, and only up to 10 percent develop other or mixed alterations.

Kissing bugs can only pass the parasite indirectly. The parasite is carried in the insects’ feces rather than its bite, so the bug has to bite a person, defecate nearby, and the infected feces must then be rubbed into the wound or mucus membranes. The process is aided by the kissing bugs’ nocturnal nature and their tendency to bite on exposed skin such as the face. A sleeping victim might rub the feces into the wound incidentally.

Kissing bugs are historically widespread and rarely make their way into homes.

In the United States kissing bugs are not much of a problem simply because they rarely infest homes. Screened windows and sealed entryways keep them out. Kissing bugs are a more substantial problem in regions with substandard housing and in the tropical regions of Central and South America.

“Kissing bug” is a nickname for multiple species of the triatomine bug. Ten species of triatomine bugs are found in the United States, with two species known in Kansas. Triatomine bugs are also called reduviid bugs, assassin bugs, cone-nosed bugs and blood suckers. (They are different from other bugs commonly called assassin bugs in the Midwest.)

In the wild they nest in rock, brush, and wood piles; in rodent nests; or in animal burrows. Around homes, they may reside under porches, in pet houses, kennels and chicken coops. When they are found inside homes, they are most often nesting in pet areas or near areas of rodent infestation.

If you find a bug you suspect is a kissing bug, place it in a sealed container and put it in the freezer. After 24 hours, take the insect to your local extension office, the health department, or another reliable insect identifier for confirmation. Kissing bugs may be confused with assassin bugs, wheel bugs, and other similar species in Kansas.

If you wake up with bites, look for possible sites of infestation or for signs of bedbugs, other insects, or spiders that could have caused the bites. Proper identification ensures proper treatment.

Chagas disease is nearly 100 percent curable if treated quickly after infection.

— Jennifer Smith is a former horticulture extension agent for K-State Research and Extension and horticulturist for Lawrence Parks and Recreation. She is the host of “The Garden Show” and has been a gardener since childhood. Send your gardening questions and feedback to features@ljworld.com.