Kissing bugs, also known as triatomines, are sneaky nocturnal insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They hide away during the day and come out at night to bite—often targeting you while you’re asleep. Because their saliva contains a numbing agent, their bites usually go unnoticed and pain-free.
These bugs are drawn to the carbon dioxide we exhale, which is why they often strike around the mouth and eyes, leaving clusters of bites on the face.
Though they mostly live in wooded areas and in nests of rodents or birds, kissing bugs can easily sneak into your home through tiny cracks or torn window screens.
They’re especially worrisome in South and Central America and Mexico, where they’re linked to the serious illness called Chagas disease.
Keep reading below to learn more and protect yourself!