Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order Hemiptera; Family Cimicidae
Size: 1 to 7 millimeters in length, roughly the size of an apple seed when adult.
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, primarily in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they use carbon dioxide and heat to locate hosts. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive months without a meal.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and allergic reactions. While they are not known to transmit diseases to humans, infestations are difficult and costly to eradicate. There are no known benefits.
Identified on: 2/16/2026