Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: 4 to 5 mm (approx. the size of an apple seed) for adults; nymphs are smaller and translucent.
Natural Habitat
Primarily residential settings, hiding in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and cracks in walls during the day.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages (feed exclusively on blood), primarily from humans, typically while they sleep.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal insects that hide during daylight; they track hosts via carbon dioxide and body heat. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal stages.
Risks & Benefits
Significant public health pests that cause itchy welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress. They do not typically transmit diseases but cause severe infestations.
Identified on: 2/19/2026