Infestations and Other Arthropods of Concern

Infestations

Infestations are caused by pests such as fleas, bed bugs, and lice. Bed bugs and head lice do not transmit any human diseases, but they can be disruptive and a nuisance. Fleas, in addition to being a nuisance to pets and their owners, are a potential vector for Plague in certain parts of the United States; luckily, this concern does not apply in Tennessee.

Other Arthropods of Concern

Kissing bugs, also known as conenose or vampire bugs, are vectors found only in South, Central, and the lower half of North America. Kissing bugs are notable because they can infect humans with the parasite that causes Chagas disease. In Tennessee, two Chagas disease cases occurred per year from 2011-2014, and there have been no confirmed cases in the state since. To learn more about this condition, see the CDC's Chagas disease home page.