Kissing bugs are primarily found throughout North America, Central America, and South America. In the United States, they have been reported in about 29 to 32 states, mostly in the southern and eastern parts of the country. States with the highest populations of kissing bugs include Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. They tend to live in warm climates and are commonly found in homes made of mud or adobe, cracks in walls, near pets, rodents, and areas close to beds or furniture. Kissing bugs are active at night and feed on the blood of humans and animals. They hide during the day and can be found in cracks and holes in beds, floors, walls, and furniture. The bugs are known to carry the parasite that causes Chagas disease, a serious condition common in Latin America and increasingly recognized in some U.S. states. Summary:
- Found in North, Central, and South America.
- In the U.S., present in about 29 to 32 states, especially southern states like Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
- Prefer warm climates, hiding in cracks, mud homes, near pets, and beds.
- Active at night, feed on blood.
- Can carry Chagas disease parasite.
