Be careful in your Georgia yard. Bites from these 5 bugs could make you really sick

Sure, mosquitoes and cockroaches are among Georgia’s most well-known nuisances, but several other species of critters can be really dangerous to humans.

The following insect species could be really harmful to humans, and you should take care to avoid them altogether.

Kissing Bugs

Kissing Bugs, also known as Triatominae , are native to Georgia and have been around for thousands of years. They are usually tannish-brown, have a flatter body, and feature a black and tan striped border around their bodies.

They have been getting recent attention because of their connection to Chagas disease . Although the chances of Georgians contracting the disease are low, it can be quite serious.

The disease has two phases: the acute phase and the chronic phase. The acute symptoms mimic flu-like symptoms with fever, fatigue, body aches and digestive issues.

The chronic phase, on the other hand, has long-lasting effects and has grave symptoms.

• Heart failure

• Difficulty and pain swallowing (dysphagia)

• Acid reflux

• Cough

• Weight loss

• Constipation

• Abdominal pain

Black Flies

Black flies, also known as buffalo or turkey gnats , are blood-sucking insects that can be found in Georgia, usually near clean, fast-moving water sources. They are about 2 to 5 millimeters long and are commonly dark gray or black with broad wings, short antennae, and a humpback.

Black flies can transmit disease to livestock only, their bites can be painful and highly prone to infection. The resulting symptoms of the bites are sometimes called “Black Fly Fever” and can make you pretty sick.

• Swelling of the lymph nodes

• General flu-like symptoms

• Painful, itchy lesions on the skin

• Swellings the size of a golf ball

• Bite site symptoms include pruritus (itching), burning sensation, edema (swelling), and erythema (redness)

• Urticaria (itchy raised skin rash)

• In more severe cases, cellulitis (hot, red, swollen and painful skin infection)

Cow Killers

This wasp is also called the Easter Velvet Ant (which may be confusing because it is not, in fact, an ant). It has a bright red and black body, covered in velvety hairs. They can reach about one inch long, but only the males have wings. The females, although wingless, possess a powerful stinger while the males don’t.

This insect’s sting is incredibly painful and gets its name because its sting has been rumored to kill cattle (although this is an exaggeration of its actual effects). Its sting is rated as a 3 out of 4 on the Schmidt Pain Scale .

The sting causes immediate pain with pain and redness and it can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches and confusion.

Blister Beetle

These pests are most prevalent in alfalfa fields , are most abundant from July to August, and tend to thrive in drier conditions. They are fairly small and have oval-shaped bodies, long legs and unusually narrow necks. Colors can vary and they come in shades of black, brown, gray and some brighter variations.

These bugs are considered dangerous mostly because of cantharidin, a chemical that causes painful blisters when it comes in contact with the skin.

Ingesting these bugs can be extremely dangerous and potentially fatal causing abdominal pain, vomiting, and blood in the urine. They also pose a significant threat to livestock and horses, even in small numbers.

Yellow-legged hornet

This invasive species is new to Georgia , only being discovered here in 2023. It poses several threats, particularly to local pollinators like honeybees.

It has a black head with a yellow face, a dark brown or black thorax, and an abdomen with alternating dark and yellow bands with yellow lower legs.

It has a potent venom and can cause significant pain and swelling at the bite site. Like many other hornet stings, symptoms can include:

• Raised, reddish area at the sting site

• Warmth near the sting

• Pain around the sting area

• Itching

• Possible bleeding

• Potential hives near the sting site

Allergic reactions are very dangerous to those who have an allergy, which is about 5% of the population. Some of the more concerning symptoms can be:

• Hives beyond the sting site

• Swelling of the skin or throat

• Breathing difficulties

• Nausea or vomiting

• Anaphylaxis (in rare cases)

• Swelling around the eyes

• Radiating neuropathic pain

• Inflammation of the cornea

If you or someone you know is bitten by a bug you suspect to be poisonous or dangerous, contact Georgia Poison Control .

If you’ve spotted one of these critters in your yard, sound off in the comments, or find me on Instagram.

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