Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae

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

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Human dwellings, specifically in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and headboards.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Nightly activity where they emerge from hiding to feed; they undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult phases) and can survive months without feeding.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress; they do not transmit diseases but are significant household pests requiring professional extermination.

Identified on: 6/29/2026