Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae

Size: 4 to 5 mm (roughly the size of an apple seed)

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, specifically in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and headboards

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to molt into the next life stage

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, sleep deprivation, and psychological distress. While not known to transmit diseases, they are a significant nuisance pest that requires professional eradication

Identified on: 6/29/2026