Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Hemiptera (true bugs), Cimicidae
Size: Adults are typically 4-5 mm (about 3/16 inch) long; nymphs are smaller, about 1.5mm to 4.5mm depending on instar.
Natural Habitat
Primarily human dwellings, especially bedrooms, found in cracks and crevices of mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and walls.
Diet & Feeding
Exclusively blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans. They feed at night while hosts are sleeping.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive. They hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat. They aggregate in harborages near feeding sites.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risks include itchy bites, skin rashes, allergic reactions, and secondary skin infections from scratching. While not known to transmit diseases in humans, their presence can cause significant psychological distress. There are no known benefits.
Identified on: 9/20/2025