Kissing bugs are found in 29 states across the United States, with a higher concentration and diversity in the southern and southwestern states. The states with the most kissing bugs and species include Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. They have also been found in states as far north and west as Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada. Some states such as Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia have only rare occurrences of kissing bugs. These bugs generally live outside near animals they feed on, such as in burrows, nests, woodpiles, rock piles, and under porches, but can sometimes be found inside homes near pets or where rodents nest. The bugs typically inhabit:
- Rodent nests and burrows (wood rats, squirrels, opossums)
- Under porches, rocks, cement, wood, or bark on trees
- Animal shelters like doghouses and chicken coops
They are mainly in southern and southwestern U.S. but have been found sporadically much farther north and west.
