Bed Bug (Shed Skin / Exuvia)

Natural Habitat

Found exclusively indoors, primarily in bedrooms, hiding in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, furniture seams, and behind electrical outlets or baseboards.

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous (feed exclusively on the blood of mammals), with a strong preference for human blood.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal feeders attracted to CO2 and body heat. They go through five nymphal stages, shedding their skin (molting) at each stage to grow. This image depicts one of these shed skins, not a live insect.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Significant mental distress, itchy allergic reactions to bites, sleep loss, and challenging eradication. They are not known to transmit disease but are major pests.

Identified on: 2/27/2026