Kissing Bug Control: How to Get Rid of Kissing Bugs

This page is a general Kissing Bug control guide. Using the products and methods suggested you will get control of Kissing Bugs. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee 100% control of Kissing Bugs.

Kissing Bugs are a common occurrence in homes and businesses. Almost all of the species of Kissing Bugs in America are mainly dark or brown with orange or red marking around the edges of their bodies. They have long mouthparts and feed on mammals and humans.

Kissing Bugs are found in the garden, inside your home, or close to any animal quarters (dog houses, poultry houses, livestock quarters). Kissing Bugs are mainly nocturnal and outdoor lights attracts them. They are constantly looking for a meal, so pets, animals, birds, and their resting places become important harborage areas.

Kissing Bugs are potentially dangerous because they sometimes transmit Chagas disease, a disease known to cause serious heart and digestive problems that can be fatal. Even the species of Kissing Bugs that do not transmit Chagas disease can bite and create allergic reactions.

Identification

Kissing Bugs belong to the family of insects known as Assassin Bugs, and you might find different species that look very similar to a kissing bug. The Kissing is also confused with the Boxelder Bug which looks strikingly similar to the Kissing Bug. 

• All of the U.S. species are dark-colored with red, orange, or yellow markings around the edge of the body.
• Long piercing mouthparts.
• Adults are usually one 1 inch but could also be ¾ of an inch.
• Found in the Southern ⅔ of the United States.
• Has dark eyes, unlike Boxelder Bug which have red eyes. 
• Bite humans around the mouth or eyes.

Inspection

Kissing Bugs are mainly nocturnal and tend to remain hidden throughout the day. It would be best to inspect at night looking for Kissing Bugs and to spot potential entry points into your home.

Where To Inspect

Indoors you're looking for any crack or crevice where Kissing Bugs may hide. Outdoors look in your gardens, flower beds, mulch, yard debris, leaf litter, landscaping, and in your whole yard. Around the foundation of your structure look for potential entry points around window frames, door frames, and in cracks and crevices that could lead inside.

What To Look For

You're looking for Kissing Bugs and potential entry points in your home. Indoors you might not have as much luck finding them since they are primarily found outdoors. So focus your search on your yard. Look in dog houses, animal quarters, and animal burrows. On the foundation of your structure look for potential cracks or crevices that Kissing bugs might be using to get inside. Take note of the places where you found Kissing Bugs and entry points, these are the places where we will apply treatment. 

Treatment

Once you have confirmed Kissing Bug activity it is time to begin treatment. Remember to read all product labels and follow their application instructions, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment.

Step 1: Apply Supreme IT Outdoors

Mix 1 ounce of Supreme IT with a gallon of water in a pump sprayer. This application rate will treat 1,000 square feet. Apply around the foundation of your structure by spraying 3 feet up and 3 feet out from the walls. Also spray window frames, door frames, eaves, and cracks and crevices where Kissing would be capable of entering the property.

Next, apply all over the yard (or do a broadcast treatment). Read the label for application rates as a broadcast treatment. Spray the whole yard, and in ornamentals, landscaping and in mulch beds. Remember not to let people or pets enter the areas sprayed until 2 to 4 hours have passed.

Step 2 - Indoor Treatment with Fipro Aerosol

Now you're ready for indoor treatment. You will use one product, Fipro Aerosol. Fipro is a great foaming aerosol that will penetrate small cracks and crevices inside the home, where many insects harbor including the Kissing Bug.

Fipro comes in a ready to use foaming aerosol can. To use Fipro simply shake, and apply with the injection straw directly into cracks and crevices inside the home, anywhere where you think a Kissing Bug might hide. This will be around window frames, under the sink, in baseboards, and anywhere where there are openings or small cracks where Kissing Bugs may harbor.

Prevention

To prevent Kissing Bugs from visiting your home or structure start by sealing any crack or crevice in the foundation of your structure. Use caulk or copper mesh to completely seal any small crack or crevice where Kissing Bugs may enter.

Cleaning and de-cluttering your yard are important to prevent invasions of Kissing Bugs. If you have lots of wood, leaf, or vegetation debris, these are prime hiding areas for Kissing Bugs. Trim back any vegetation close to the home especially bushes and trees that come in contact with your homes exterior walls.

And finally, re-apply Supreme IT every three months to ensure an insect free home and to maintain the insecticidal barrier around your home active.

Key Takeaways

• Kissing bugs are a harmful insect known to bite around the face and mouth areas of animals and humans, and can sometimes spread Chagas disease.
• To treat Kissing Bugs, apply an outdoor treatment of Supreme IT every 3 months to maintain control. Indoors, apply Fipro Aerosol directly to cracks and crevices.
• Exclusion and sealing of entry points are one of the best ways to prevent Kissing bug re-infestation. Make sure to fix broken screens, add weather stripping, and caulk any cracks and crevices and maintain an uncluttered yard free of wood and leaf debris.