What are Assassin Bugs? Are They Dangerous?

Ever heard of assassin bugs? These stealthy insects pack a painful bite, and some species can pose real health risks. Are they dangerous? Yes. But are they manageable? Absolutely.

Assassin bugs are insects in the scientific order Hemiptera, the insect order for “true bugs”. They get their name from their hunting style, waiting in the brush for prey to come their way before they attack. Just like cicadas, stink bugs, aphids, and other true bugs, assassin bugs have specialized piercing and sucking mouthparts that they use to suck up liquids. However, while most hemipterans are herbivores and use their needle-like mouths to feed on plant juices, assassin bugs are predatory insects that use their mouthparts to pierce other insects.

Sounds pretty gross, right? Don’t worry – it gets grosser.

Quick Facts:

• Color: Depends on species, usually black, brown, or rust
• Size: Oval-shaped bodies, about ½ to 1 inch in length
• Range: Southern United States from coast to coast
• Habitat: Gardens, fields, and forests
• Behavior: Nocturnal, ambush predators

It’s not uncommon for an insect with piercing/sucking mouthparts to feed on something other than plant sap. Mosquitoes and fleas are both active hunters that seek our prey (usually people or pets) and feed off their blood. So what’s the issue with assassin bugs doing the same thing? The main difference lies in what assassin bugs are eating and how they get that nutrition into a liquid form.

Assassin bugs are not hemovores (blood eaters) like mosquitoes, fleas, or biting midges. Assassin bugs are true carnivores, eating more than just an insect’s hemolymph (blood). But how can you use a straw-like mouth to eat the “meat” of a bug? Simple: you inject a venom into the bite mark that liquifies that insect’s insides and slurp it up like a protein shake… I told you it got grosser.

But they don’t stop with insects. Assassin bugs can also bite people, and their bites can pack a painful punch. Some people describe assassin bug bites as immediate, sharp, hot pain, while others have compared them to being stung by a wasp. Bites usually result in a large welt resembling a large, itchy mosquito bite. In rare cases, assassin bug bites may also transmit Chagas disease, a parasitic infection that can cause flu-like symptoms (fever, fatigue, swelling around the eyes) or lifelong chronic conditions. In 2025, locally transmitted Chagas disease (contracted in the US, not due to travel outside the country) was reported in 8 states.

Thankfully, assassin bug prevention is not too difficult. Unlike roaches, flies, and other pests that can squeeze through small gaps, assassin bugs are fairly large insects. Sealing gaps and cracks around windows, doors, and other areas of the home is a great way to prevent assassin bugs from getting inside. When doing activities outside, wearing an EPA registered insect repellent and long clothing that covers exposed skin also helps prevent these pests from biting you so easily. Assassin bugs usually bite people when they are sleeping, so if you plan a camping trip in an area with Chagas disease prevalence or high reports of assassin bugs, be sure to sleep in an enclosed space (like a tent) or take time to shake out clothing and bedding before calling it a night.

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As leaders in the industry and protectors of public health, we understand first-hand the impact of insect-borne diseases. Each Mosquito Squad Plus location is locally owned and operated, so the technicians treating your home know the exact pest trends in your community. Take the guesswork out of pest work and call a Squad near you today! Services vary by location.