Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Hemiptera: Cimicidae

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

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

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

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

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

Risks & Benefits

Significant public health pests. While not known to transmit diseases, they cause itchy bites, allergic reactions, psychological distress, and sleeplessness. They offer no ecosystem benefits in human dwellings.

Identified on: 1/12/2026