Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Hemiptera / Cimicidae

Size: Approximately 4–5 mm long (about the size of an apple seed) for adults; nymphs are smaller and translucent.

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Typically found in human dwellings, particularly in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas (mattress seams, headboards, bed frames) and upholstery.

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous (feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, preferring humans).

Behavior Patterns

They are primarily nocturnal, emerging at night to feed on sleeping hosts. They do not fly or jump but crawl quickly. They aggregate in hidden clusters marked by dark fecal spots on bedding or furniture.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Their bites cause itchy, red welts and allergic reactions in many people; severe infestations can cause anxiety and insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases directly. Benefits: None known to humans or the general ecosystem (other than being prey for some spiders).

Identified on: 2/8/2026