At Good Nature Organic Lawn Care, we don’t just care for your lawn — we care about the safety of your entire outdoor environment. Recently, attention has grown around an insect called the “kissing bug.” This blood-feeding insect may now be in Ohio, and in rare cases it can spread a serious illness called Chagas disease. Here’s what you should know.
Kissing bugs (Triatominae) bite humans and animals at night, often around the mouth or eyes. The bite itself is painless, but the insect’s feces may contain the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. If rubbed into the skin or eyes, this parasite can cause Chagas disease.
Kissing bugs have been reported in over 30 states, including Ohio. While not every kissing bug carries the parasite, awareness is important since Chagas disease can be lifelong.
Symptoms if Infected
Many people never show symptoms, which makes the disease harder to detect.
Many harmless insects resemble kissing bugs. The Ohio State University’s BYGL guide shows common look-alikes, such as leaf-footed bugs and assassin bugs. When in doubt, submit a photo to your local extension office for identification.
As your organic lawn care partner, we take a holistic approach to property health. That includes helping you recognize potential risks like the kissing bug and reducing habitats where pests can thrive. Our team can advise on simple landscaping changes that keep your yard safe, natural, and enjoyable.
The Bottom Line: While the kissing bug isn’t a confirmed threat in Ohio yet, vigilance is the best protection. Staying informed and keeping your property tidy goes a long way in safeguarding your family and pets.
If you’d like our team to review your property for potential pest habitats, reach out to Good Nature Organic Lawn Care.
At Good Nature Organic Lawn Care, our mission is to nurture healthy, natural landscapes for our clients — from soil microbes up through the shrubs and trees. But part of caring for your property also means keeping you informed about risks that might lurk unseen. One such risk that’s drawing increasing attention is the “kissing bug” — an insect that may bite you without noticing, and in some cases carry a parasite that causes Chagas disease.
In this article, we’ll explain what the kissing bug is, why scientists and public health officials are sounding alarms, how to recognize look-alike insects, and what homeowners (especially in Ohio) can do to reduce the risk.
The term “kissing bug” refers to insects of the subfamily Triatominae, also called triatomines or conenose bugs. These insects are blood feeders: they typically feed on mammals (including humans) and sometimes birds. CDC Travelers' Health+2Wikipedia+2
They earned the “kissing” nickname because they often bite around the mouth, lips, face, or near the eyes — typically on exposed skin. CBS News+2CDC Travelers' Health+2
But the true danger is not just the bite itself — it’s what might follow.
The major concern around kissing bugs is that some of them carry the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes the disease known as Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis). CDC Travelers' Health+2Wikipedia+2
Here’s roughly how transmission works:
A kissing bug bites a person (or other mammal) and feeds on blood.
While or after feeding, the bug may defecate near the bite site.
The parasite T. cruzi in those feces can enter the body if the person scratches the bite, rubbing fecal matter into the wound, mucous membranes, or eyes. CBS News+2CDC Travelers' Health+2
The parasite then invades cells and multiplies, possibly leading to disease. Wikipedia+1
In many cases, the infection is silent (asymptomatic), especially initially. But over time — sometimes years or decades later — the parasite may contribute to serious health problems, particularly affecting the heart and digestive system (e.g. cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, enlarged esophagus or colon). CBS News+2CDC Travelers' Health+2
That said, not every kissing bug carries T. cruzi, and not every exposure leads to infection. But the risk is real, and awareness is key.
For years, Chagas disease was viewed largely as a tropical or Latin American disease. But recent research suggests T. cruzi and kissing bugs are more widespread in the U.S. than previously thought:
Triatomine bugs have been identified in 32 U.S. states so far. CDC Travelers' Health+2CBS News+2
Autochthonous (locally acquired) human Chagas disease cases have been confirmed in at least 8 U.S. states, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Arizona, and California. CDC Travelers' Health+1
Some scientists now argue that Chagas disease in the U.S. should be considered “endemic” (i.e. ongoing, low-level presence) rather than purely an imported disease. CDC Travelers' Health+2CBS News+2
In a recent CDC journal article, authors note that while surveillance is limited and data are imperfect, evidence supports sustained T. cruzi cycles among wildlife, domestic animals, and in some cases humans in the U.S. CDC Travelers' Health
In other words, what used to be considered a distant tropical concern is creeping closer to home.
You might wonder: Is this really a threat in Ohio?
Yes — the insects (or at least close relatives) have been documented in Ohio. The Ohio State University’s BYGL (Buckeye Yard + Garden Line) has published alerts about “kissing bug” sightings in Ohio, noting growing numbers of reports and photos from residents. bygl.osu.edu
However, according to BYGL, the specific species commonly found (e.g. Triatoma sanguisuga, the “eastern bloodsucking conenose”) is not currently considered a human health threat in Ohio — meaning no clear evidence confirms that local insects are transmitting T. cruzi to people here. bygl.osu.edu
Still, the presence of these bugs in the state is a red flag worth paying attention to. As climate change, habitat shifts, and human encroachment progress, pests sometimes expand or shift their ranges.
Because many insects are small, dark, and somewhat similar in appearance, people often misidentify harmless bugs as “kissing bugs.” The BYGL alert on look-alike insects is a helpful reference. (See their overview here: BYGL look-alike article)
Common look-alikes include:
Other Reduviidae (assassin bugs) or related true bugs
Common leaf-footed bugs or stinkbugs
Firebugs or seed bugs
Other nocturnal or crepuscular insects hiding in leaf litter or beneath bark
The key is that not every dark-colored or “cone-shaped” bug is a kissing bug. That said, if you see a suspicious bug — especially one that appears to have fed — it’s wise to document and submit a photo or specimen to local extension or entomologists for identification.
BYGL encourages people to compare features like body shape, antennae, wing structure, and feeding posture. bygl.osu.edu+1
As a homeowner (and as a responsible lawn care company), here are practical steps to reduce the risk of kissing bug exposure on your property:
Seal entry points in your home
Repair or screen cracks, gaps, and holes in walls, foundations, window frames, and door frames.
Use weather-stripping, caulk, or fine mesh to block small entryways.
Minimize outdoor harborage near homes
Keep woodpiles, brush, rock piles, or debris away from the immediate perimeter of the home.
Trim dense vegetation, shrubs, and ground cover that may allow insects to approach walls.
Use exterior lighting wisely
Insects are drawn to light. Use low-glare, downward-facing lighting rather than bright upward or flood lighting near doors or windows.
Inspect and manage pet areas, kennels, and animal shelters
Dogs and other pets can attract kissing bugs, and T. cruzi infections in dogs are well documented in many U.S. states. CDC Travelers' Health+1
Ensure pet bedding and outdoor runs are cleaned, and deny bugs dark hiding spots near animal quarters.
Be vigilant at night
Kissing bugs are nocturnal — they often feed at night and may enter homes while you're asleep.
Consider using bed nets or screens in bedrooms in higher-risk areas.
Document and report sightings
If you find an insect you suspect might be a kissing bug, photograph it (side and dorsal views), note time and location, and submit it to your local extension office or state entomology lab.
Don’t handle the bug with bare hands — use gloves or forceps and contain it in a sealed container if possible.
Stay informed
Watch regional extension publications, university entomology alerts (like BYGL in Ohio), and public health announcements.
Awareness and early detection are your best defenses.
You might ask: “Why is a lawn care company talking about kissing bugs?” The answer is simple: caring for your outdoor environment isn’t just about plant health — it’s about safety, peace of mind, and ecosystem balance.
Integrated perspective: We see your property as an ecosystem — pests, beneficial insects, wildlife, and humans all interact. Understanding vector insects is part of that system.
Client trust: When we treat or maintain lawns and landscapes, clients trust us to be informed — and to flag potential concerns safely.
Long-term stewardship: As pests shift their ranges due to climate and habitat change, proactive homeowners and ecosystem managers will fare better than reactive ones.
Holistic recommendations: Our advice spans soil health, habitat reduction, barrier strategies, and integrated pest approaches — all of which intersect with vector management.
If you engage Good Nature for lawn or landscape services and have concerns about potential bug infestations or hiding places (woodpiles, brush, dense plantings), please ask. We can help evaluate risk zones and recommend smart, natural ways to reduce exposure.
While the kissing bug remains a relatively obscure and “silent” threat in many parts of the U.S., the scientific consensus is shifting: these insects are present in more states than formerly believed, and T. cruzi is circulating among wildlife and domestic animals. CDC Travelers' Health+2CBS News+2
In Ohio specifically, no confirmed human health threat has been established — but that doesn’t mean we should ignore the possibility. Better awareness, reporting, and property management can go a long way in preventing unwanted contact.
At Good Nature Organic Lawn Care, our commitment is to healthier, safer outdoor spaces. We share this information so that you can make informed decisions, minimize risks, and enjoy your yard with confidence. If you'd like a personalized assessment or buffer recommendations tailored to your property, we’re here to help.