Chagas' disease results from the intrusion and colonization of T. cruzi in one's neuron tissue where it eats, multiplies, reproduces, and returns to the blood stream to be ingested by a vinchuca - which passes it to another sleeping human. T. cruzi does damage by sapping nutrients, expelling toxic wastes, destroying cells, and molecular mimicracy. It so mimics human cells that the person's immune system attacks itself, according to recent theory.

Since there is little cure for chronic chagas, the most practical way to stop it is to break the parasitic cycle by preventing vinchucas from nesting in houses. Housing hygiene is necessary to inhibit vinchucas from inhabiting houses. Vinchucas hide during the day because they are photosensitive to light. They nest in mattresses, clothing, cracks, and behind pictures. Because they also live in ceilings, their contaminated fecal matter falls into food. Housing hygiene is often difficult in crowded houses. Government-sponsored educational programs and home improvement campaigns have helped prevent Chagas' disease but such programs need to be increased and further supported by government funds and international support.

Nationally sponsored projects are successful only with full community participation and implementation within the cultural context of the community. Moreover, micro-production of villagers needs to be increased to eliminate impoverishment. Community members need technical support from outside organizations on how to construct roofs, lay non-cracking foundations, make solid adobes, and plaster walls (see below). The involvement that families have in their homes ensures that they take pride in their new homes. They will keep houses vinchucas-free to the degree that the new homes fit their personal and cultural preferences, as well as they have participated in building them. Chagas control projects greatly benefit everyone by stopping its spread, by teaching technical skills, and by providing suitable housing.

Cluttered houses lead to infestation with vinchucas that find many dark places to hide. Personal hygiene is also important because T. cruzi spreads through contamination. Sharing an unsanitary house with animals also leads to Chagas' disease because cats, dogs, and guinea pigs serve as hosts for T. cruzi. People should make sure that their bed are clean because vinchucas often make their home there. They should bathe regularly to clean parasites from the skin.