Are Kissing Bugs and Bed Bugs the Same?

Kissing bugs are a relative of bed bugs, and they both feed the same way -- they stick a beaky straw into your skin and slurp up your blood. Kissing bugs poop after they feed, and if the bug is infected, it releases the parasite onto your skin.

Do kissing bugs live in beds?

Kissing bugs are found in warm southern states of the U.S. and in Mexico, Central America, and South America. Kissing bugs can hide in cracks and holes in beds, floors, walls, and furniture. They are most likely to be found: Near places where a pet, such as a dog or cat, spends time.

What do you do if you find a kissing bug in your house?

If you find a kissing bug, the CDC recommends you do not touch or squash it. To help understand the problem and how many carry the disease, the CDC is asking for help. They suggest you place a container on top of the kissing bug for 24 hours, and then seal the bug inside the container.