What is the Difference Between Stink Bug and Kissing Bug?

Stink bugs and kissing bugs are both annoying pests, but they differ in several ways:

1. Diet and feeding behavior: Stink bugs are plant feeders and do not bite people, while kissing bugs are known to bite and suck blood from their victims, usually on the face but sometimes other parts of the body.
2. Appearance: Stink bugs are generally lighter in color and do not have bright colors present on their body, while kissing bugs are typically black or very dark brown, with distinct red, orange, or yellow stripes around the edges of their bodies.
3. Size: Kissing bugs are usually larger than most stink bugs. Stink bugs tend to be about half an inch long, while kissing bugs sometimes reach an inch in length.
4. Mouthparts: Both stink bugs and kissing bugs have piercing/sucking mouthparts, but only kissing bugs bite people, pets, and other animals. Stink bugs do not bite humans or animals.
5. Health risks: Kissing bugs can transmit Chagas disease, an emerging vector-borne disease in the U.S and parts of Central and South America. Stink bugs do not transmit diseases to humans.

To prevent both stink bugs and kissing bugs from entering your home, seal any cracks around windows, doors, utility pipes, behind chimneys, and other openings.

Comparative Table: Stink Bug vs Kissing Bug

Here is a table comparing the differences between stink bugs and kissing bugs:

Differences include their diet, biting behavior, ability to transmit diseases, and appearance. Stink bugs are plant feeders and do not bite humans or animals, while kissing bugs feed on blood and can transmit diseases like Chagas disease.