Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae

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

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Found globally in human dwellings, typically in cracks and crevices, bed frames, mattresses, and furniture near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Mainly nocturnal pests that emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for several months without a blood meal.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, psychological distress, and sleep deprivation. While they do not reliably transmit diseases, they are difficult and expensive to eradicate from homes.

Identified on: 12/30/2025