5 Most Dangerous Insects in North Carolina

The beautiful southeastern state of North Carolina is home to a lot of diverse wildlife, from the black bears of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the alligators of the coastal plains. While you can easily identify and avoid these larger predators, some of the state’s most dangerous residents are more difficult to detect. These creepy crawlies bite, sting, creep, and fly, making them, at best, a nuisance and, at worst, a potential health hazard. Read on for information on the most dangerous insects in North Carolina so you can learn how to protect yourself and enjoy a pest-free vacation.

Kissing Bugs

Kissing Bugs might sound friendly, but they are a particularly disgusting pest. Their proper name is a Triatomine Bug or Triatoma sanguisuga, but they get their nickname from their habit of biting people’s lips while they sleep. Yes, you read that right. These vampire-like bugs feed on human blood, and they like to eat their meals at night. The Kissing Bug’s saliva contains a numbing agent, so most people won’t even feel it when they’re bitten.

Triatomines are small insects, measuring just 0.6 in - 0.9 in long. They have orange or yellow dots along their sides and orange/yellow markings on their wings that make them fairly easy to identify. The danger with Kissing Bugs isn’t their bites; it’s what they might be carrying. The insects are known to spread Chagas disease, a deadly condition caused by a parasite that infects Triatomines. If a person is bitten by a Kissing Bug that’s infected with the Chagas parasite, they could experience fever, headache, muscle pain, difficulty in breathing, and abdominal or chest pain. Left untreated, Chagas disease can progress into the chronic phase, where parasites accumulate in the heart or the digestive system.

The good news is that Chagas disease is extremely rare in the United States and, even though Kissing Bugs are native to North Carolina, it’s unlikely you’ll come into contact with one as they tend to stay out of urban areas and prefer rodent hosts to humans.

Mosquitos

The humble mosquito is one of the deadliest creatures in the world, thanks to its ability to pass on dangerous diseases as it feeds on humans. There are 60 different species of Culicidae in North Carolina but only 10 to 15 of them bite people. It’s the female mosquitoes that drink blood, using it as an energy source. As they feed, mosquitoes inject some of their saliva into our bodies to make our blood thinner and therefore easier to drink.

Mosquitoes can carry dangerous diseases such as dengue or malaria, transporting the virus from one infected person to another. The best way to avoid mosquito bites is to wear repellent when you’re outdoors in the summer, eliminate any areas of standing water where they can lay their eggs, and cover up exposed skin where possible. If you are bitten, ice packs can help take away the annoying itch and/or swelling. If you develop symptoms such as fever, vomiting, or muscle pain after a bite, contact a doctor or other medical professional.

Fire Ants

The Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta, is a common pest in North Carolina and is found in 75 counties throughout the state. Fire ants swarm and sting when on the attack, causing very painful welts. Within 24 hours of being stung, people can develop itchy, pus-filled blisters which can become infected and scar. In a small percentage of cases, people can have a severe and possibly fatal, allergic reaction to fire ant stings.

Fire ants are reddish dark brown and less than an inch long. Most stings occur when people disturb their colonies which are found in large mounds in open, sunny areas with clay soils. Fire ants can also move indoors if attracted by a food source and can nest in walls or under floors.

If you’re stung by a fire ant, you can treat the bites with steroid creams and/or antihistamines. Using ice or a cold pack can help reduce the swelling and soreness. If the bite worsens and you start to experience symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, or trouble breathing, seek medical attention immediately.

Baldfaced Hornet

Baldfaced hornets, Dolichovespula maculata, are large, flying wasp-like insects with white patches on their body and face. While a single hornet is unlikely to do more than give you a nasty sting, they're more dangerous than you'd think, as Baldfaced Hornets rarely attack solo. Also known as Yellowjackets, these predatory wasps tend to swarm and are very aggressive, surrounding their prey and repeatedly stinging until it is subdued. Stings are very painful and can become itchy and swell. In some cases, they cause an allergic reaction that, if untreated, can be fatal. The best way to avoid Bald-faced hornets is to keep an eye out for their nests and leave them undisturbed. If you're stung, apply ice and try to avoid scratching the bite, as this could cause an infection. If you experience signs of shock, such as difficulty breathing, nausea, or dizziness, get medical help as soon as possible.

Cockroaches

The common cockroach may not seem very deadly, but these pervasive pests can pose a serious risk to human health by carrying bacteria, triggering allergic reactions in people, or contaminating food. The most common variety in North Carolina is the American Cockroach, Periplaneta americana, which grows one to two inches long and has a yellow, figure 8 marking behind its head. They can easily squeeze through cracks to invade homes and prefer the kitchen and bathroom areas where it's warm and moist. Cockroaches can carry dangerous pathogens, and their waste can trigger asthma attacks, so it's best to treat infestations early before they breed and spread.

Most people would agree — bugs aren’t the best traveling companions. No one wants their vacation invaded by insects. Be aware that if you’re visiting North Carolina in the summer months, there’s more chance of you encountering one or more of the above critters, which are most active when it’s warm. If you’re spending time outdoors enjoying the mountains, exploring the coast, or lounging by the lake, keep an eye out for unwelcome stowaways and check exposed skin for bites. Don’t forget to check the kids and the pets too! With a little preparation and planning, you can make sure your trip is bug-free and enjoy North Carolina’s many attractions without worry.