How To Get Rid Of Kissing Bugs
Kissing bugs, also known as Triatoma or “conenose bugs,” are parasitic bugs that feed on blood and can transmit Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease. Because of the health risks associated with these pests, dealing with them requires a highly cautious and thorough approach. While complete elimination usually requires our professional pest control, there are several proactive steps a home or business owner can take to help reduce or manage an infestation on their own. Here's how to get rid of kissing bugs:
Identify and Remove Hiding Spots
Kissing bugs typically hide during the day in cracks, crevices, and sheltered areas near where humans or animals sleep. Common hiding places include:
Cracks in walls, ceilings, and baseboards
Behind pictures, furniture, or electrical outlets
Pet bedding or kennels
Rodent nests, woodpiles, or outdoor debris
Seal cracks and crevices with caulk or weatherstripping. Move beds and furniture away from walls. Keep bedding off the floor. Remove clutter both indoors and around the exterior foundation.
Eliminate Outdoor Habitats
Kissing bugs are attracted to areas where wildlife or pets rest, since they serve as hosts.
Keep pet sleeping areas clean and away from the home’s structure.
Remove woodpiles, leaf litter, and rodent nests from the property.
Store firewood at least 20 feet from the house and 5 inches off the ground.
Use Physical Barriers
Prevent kissing bugs from entering your home or business.
Install tight-fitting screens on doors, windows, and vents.
Repair holes or tears in screens and door sweeps.
Use fine mesh or netting over beds if infestations are suspected.
Vacuum Regularly
Vacuuming can remove hidden insects and egg cases from cracks, baseboards, and furniture.
Focus on sleeping areas and dark corners.
Immediately dispose of vacuum bags in sealed plastic bags outdoors.
Use Insecticide Sprays and Dusts (With Caution)
Some over-the-counter residual insecticides labeled for crack and crevice treatment can be moderately effective. Look for products containing:
Pyrethroids (such as deltamethrin or cypermethrin)
Silica dust or diatomaceous earth for long-term protection in inaccessible voids
Do not spray directly on bedding or where people and pets sleep. Follow all product label directions carefully—misuse can cause health hazards.
Reduce Light Attraction
Kissing bugs are drawn to lights.
Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights at night.
Use yellow “bug lights,” which are less attractive to insects.
Monitor for Continued Activity
Use sticky traps or glue boards near sleeping areas and potential entry points. Monitor regularly to assess whether the problem persists.
While these DIY steps can help reduce the risk and limit small infestations, complete eradication often requires our professional pest control. Kissing bugs are resilient, can hide in hard-to-reach areas, and pose health risks that justify our expert handling.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Kissing Bugs
Our professional pest control is the best and safest way to get rid of kissing bugs because these bugs pose serious health risks, are difficult to locate, and require specialized methods and products to eliminate effectively. Kissing bugs are not typical nuisance insects—they can transmit Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, which makes our expert management essential. Here’s why our professional pest control is the superior choice:
Accurate Identification and Inspection
Kissing bugs are often confused with other similar-looking insects, such as assassin bugs or boxelder bugs. Our trained pest control technicians can:
Correctly identify the species and confirm whether it is a true kissing bug.
Conduct a comprehensive inspection to find nesting and hiding areas inside walls, attics, crawl spaces, and outdoor habitats.
Determine the extent of the infestation and risk level to occupants.
This precision ensures that treatments are targeted and effective rather than based on guesswork.
Access to Professional-Grade Products
Our licensed pest control professionals use EPA-approved insecticides that are far more potent and longer-lasting than consumer-grade sprays. These formulations are:
Designed for deep penetration into cracks, voids, and wall cavities where kissing bugs hide.
Applied in controlled, measured quantities that maximize effectiveness while minimizing exposure to humans and pets.
Often combined with insect growth regulators (IGRs) to interrupt breeding cycles and prevent future infestations.
Comprehensive and Strategic Treatment Plans
Kissing bugs require an integrated pest management (IPM) approach that goes beyond simple spraying. Our professionals combine several advanced methods:
Targeted residual applications in high-risk areas.
Structural sealing and exclusion work to block future entry points.
Monitoring devices to assess ongoing activity.
Outdoor perimeter and habitat treatments to reduce nearby populations.
This multi-layered strategy addresses the infestation from all angles—something most DIY approaches cannot achieve.
Health and Safety Assurance
Because kissing bugs can transmit T. cruzi, direct contact or improper handling increases the risk of exposure. Our professionals are trained to:
Handle contaminated materials and insects safely.
Prevent cross-contamination between infested and clean areas.
Follow strict safety and disposal protocols to protect residents and pets.
Their expertise greatly reduces the risk of disease transmission and pesticide misuse.
Long-Term Prevention
Our professional pest control doesn’t stop at elimination—it also includes long-term protection. Our technicians identify vulnerabilities in and around the property, such as structural gaps, lighting issues, and wildlife activity, and provide recommendations or services to seal those entry points and prevent re-infestation.
Follow-Up and Monitoring
Kissing bug infestations often require multiple visits to ensure full eradication. Our pest management professionals provide:
Scheduled follow-up inspections to confirm treatment success.
Ongoing monitoring for signs of new activity.
Adjustments to treatment plans if any bugs reappear.
This ongoing vigilance ensures that the problem is truly resolved rather than temporarily reduced.
Our professional pest control is the best way to get rid of kissing bugs because it combines accurate identification, advanced treatment methods, health safety measures, and preventive strategies that homeowners simply cannot replicate with store-bought products. Considering the potential disease risk and complexity of infestations, our expert intervention is the safest and most effective route for both homes and businesses.
Get Rid Of Kissing Bugs With Miche Pest Control
Hiring our team of professionals at Miche Pest Control is an investment in long-term protection, expertise, and peace of mind. Here’s why:
- Personalized Service and Local Expertise: We know the specific pest pressures in the area—such as seasonal rodent activity, regional ant species, or local termite threats. Our technicians understand the environment, climate, and building types common to the area, allowing them to provide targeted, effective treatments.
- High-Quality, Comprehensive Solutions: As a full-service provider, we doe’t just treat surface problems; we address the root causes. From inspections and prevention to exclusion and ongoing maintenance, we deliver complete, integrated pest management (IPM) programs designed to both eliminate infestations and prevent future ones.
- Accountability and Reliability: We live and die by our reputation. We rely on trust, referrals, and repeat business, meaning we're committed to doing the job right the first time and providing exceptional customer care.
- Faster Response Times: We respond quickly to emergencies and schedule services sooner than large, national chains. Especially when you’re dealing with urgent pest issues like rodents or wasps, that speed matters.
- Customized Treatment Plans: We tailor our services to your property’s specific needs instead of using one-size-fits-all chemical treatments. This results in safer, more effective pest control that minimizes environmental impact and reduces unnecessary pesticide use.
- Highly Trained, Experienced Technicians: We invest in training, certification, and continuing education for our technicians. We stay current on the latest pest biology, control techniques, and safety standards.
- Long-Term Prevention and Value: Our focus on providing quality service means fewer callbacks, longer-lasting protection, and better value over time. Instead of repeated, temporary fixes, you get strategic solutions that protect your home or business for the long run and provide better peace of mind.
Hiring our team means you get expertise you can trust, faster service, safer and more effective treatments, and long-term results that protect both your property and your peace of mind. Contact us today!