Bed Bug (Crushed)

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae

Size: 4 to 5 mm (unfed adults); slightly larger and elongated when engorged with blood.

Natural Habitat

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

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They go through five nymphal stages, requiring a blood meal to molt between each stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known ecosystem benefits.

Identified on: 1/6/2026