Everything to Know About Kissing Bug Disease (Chagas Disease) in Southern California

Kissing bugs may sound harmless, but these insects can carry one of the most concerning parasitic diseases in the Americas: Chagas disease. Unlike nuisance pests, kissing bugs feed on blood, often while their hosts are asleep. In doing so, they can transmit the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which causes Chagas disease. While not every kissing bug carries the parasite, increasing evidence shows that locally acquired cases are occurring in parts of the U.S. including Southern California, making awareness essential—especially in Glendora, Pasadena, Claremont, and surrounding foothill communities.

Everything to Know About Kissing Bug Disease

What Is Kissing Bug Disease?

Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is caused by T. cruzi, which kissing bugs can transmit. The transmission doesn’t happen through a bite alone, but when the bug feeds and then defecates near the feed site; the parasite in the feces may enter through a break in skin or via the eyes or mouth.

While much of the focus has been on Latin America, researchers now argue that the disease is becoming endemic in the United States, supported by reports of T. cruzi presence in wildlife, insect vectors, and some humans with no travel history. 

Symptoms and Risks of Chagas Disease

Chagas disease progresses in two phases:

Acute Phase (weeks to months after infection):

• Swelling around the bite, often near lips or face

• Fever, fatigue, body aches, rash

• Swollen lymph nodes, mild digestive symptoms
  

Chronic Phase (years later if untreated):

• Enlargement of heart or digestive organs (esophagus or colon)

• Irregular heart rhythms, increased risk of heart failure or stroke

• Long-term digestive issues like difficulty swallowing or constipation
  

Many people infected in the U.S. may never realize they carry the parasite. For instance, in Los Angeles County alone, estimates suggest tens of thousands may be infected without knowing.

Where Kissing Bugs Live in Southern California

Kissing bugs tend to shelter in places that offer cover and hosts:

• Woodpiles, brush, and rock walls in foothill areas around Glendora and the San Gabriel Mountains

• Sheds, crawl spaces, and areas under porches in residential neighborhoods

• Animal burrows and outdoor clutter where small mammals live nearby

• Indoors, they may hide in cracks in walls, behind furniture, or pet bedding
  

According to Texas A&M's Kissing Bugs project, many of these insects are found throughout the southern U.S.; in California, Triatoma protracta is one of the species native to the region. 

How to Identify Kissing Bugs

Key traits to recognize:

• Size: about ¾ inch to 1¼ inch long

• Shape: flattened, oval body with a pointed head

• Color: shades of dark brown or black, sometimes with orange or red along body edges

• Behavior: nocturnal; sometimes found near sleeping areas because they are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide
  
  

If you see an insect that resembles this in Glendora, Pasadena, or other nearby localities, photographing it (from a safe distance) and contacting professionals can help confirm whether it’s a kissing bug.

External Evidence: Why This Matters

• UCLA Health reports that about 45,000 people in Los Angeles County may be infected with T. cruzi, although fewer than 2% are aware of it.

• Research (such as from the Emerging Infectious Diseases journal) argues the U.S. should be considered endemic given the presence of kissing bugs in over 30 states, T. cruzi in local wildlife, and human cases without travel history.

• California has among the highest numbers of people with Chagas disease, many infected abroad, but there are documented cases of local transmission, particularly in foothill and rural areas.

• Mayo Clinic outlines the acute and chronic symptoms clearly, showing that many early cases go undetected because symptoms are mild or mimic other conditions.
  

Prevention and Control Tips

Reducing risk involves exclusion, cleanliness, and habitat modification:

Prevention Checklist:

• Seal cracks around windows, doors, foundations

• Install or repair screens

• Keep outdoor lights away from doors/windows to reduce insect attraction

• Store firewood away from the home and off the ground

• Remove brush, leaf litter, and outdoor debris around the home

• Keep pet bedding indoors or inspect it often

• Examine bedding/furniture corners for signs of bugs
  
  

These improvements are especially important in cities like Glendora, Claremont, and portions of Los Angeles County where foothill terrain and wildlife increase opportunities for kissing bugs to come near homes.

Why Professional Pest Control Matters

We can help with:

• Identifying hiding spots where kissing bugs are likely to live

• Applying treatments to cracks, crevices, and other areas that DIY often misses

• Educating homeowners on symptoms and what to do if exposure is suspected

• Integrating local wildlife and habitat awareness into prevention strategies
  
  

Because of the serious long-term health risks, relying just on occasional checks is risky — professional inspection can give peace of mind.

Living Safely with Awareness in Southern California

In Glendora and other communities in Southern California, it’s still uncommon to see large infestations of kissing bugs indoors, but the presence of local wildlife and foothill terrain means exposure is possible. Learning to recognize them, taking steps to prevent them, and being aware of mild symptoms early on can help protect both your family and your pets.

Kissing Bug Pest Control in Walnut CA

Kissing bugs are more than just creepy pests—they have the potential to transmit Chagas disease, a serious health issue. We urge homeowners across Southern California—especially in foothill areas like Glendora—to take preventive action. At ProCraft Pest Control, we specialize in identifying kissing bug risks, sealing homes, reducing habitats, and creating long-term protection plans. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and safeguard your home against this hidden threat.

Michael Furlong

I’ve been in pest control since I was 20 and founded ProCraft in 2009. Over the years, I’ve seen how easily health concerns can arise from pests most people rarely think about. Kissing bugs are one example—small insects with big implications for public health. My focus has always been on helping California homeowners stay informed, proactive, and safe through prevention and science-based control. Outside of work, I’m a Pennsylvania native who enjoys black coffee, 80’s movies, and a quiet garage when I can find it.