Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: Typically 4-5 mm but can swell to ~7 mm (roughly apple seed size) after feeding.
Natural Habitat
Found worldwide, primarily in human dwellings within cracks and crevices of beds, furniture, walls, and flooring near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (feeds exclusively on blood), preferring human blood but will feed on other warm-blooded animals if necessary.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day in tight spaces and emerge at night to feed. They move quickly but do not fly or jump. They are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Bed bugs cause itchy bites, allergic reactions, anxiety, and insomnia. They are a significant nuisance pest but are not known to transmit disease effectively. They have no known ecosystem benefits.
Identified on: 2/17/2026