Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: Generally 4 to 5 mm long (about the size of an apple seed) when adult; nymphs are smaller and more translucent.
Natural Habitat
Found globally in human dwellings, primarily infesting unexpected cracks and crevices around beds, furniture, baseboards, and luggage. They prefer dark, protected areas close to sleeping hosts.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (blood-feeders), feeding exclusively on the blood of mammals, primarily humans, though they can feed on pets.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and parasitic; they hide during the day and emerge at night attracted by the host's body heat and carbon dioxide. They do not fly or jump but crawl quickly.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Their bites cause itchy red welts, anxiety, and insomnia; infestations are difficult and expensive to eradicate. While they are not known to transmit disease, the psychological impact and secondary infections from scratching are significant risks. Benefits: None known.
Identified on: 2/19/2026