Bed Bug

Indoor environments, primarily in sleeping areas. They hide in cracks and crevices of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, and behind wallpaper or baseboards.

Hematophagous (feeds exclusively on blood), primarily generally preferring human blood but will feed on other warm-blooded animals if necessary.

Nocturnal and elusive, they emerge at night to feed on sleeping hosts. They are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide. They do not fly or jump but crawl quickly.

Risks: Their bites can cause allergic skin reactions, itching, anxiety, and insomnia. While not known to transmit disease effectively, infestations are difficult and expensive to eradicate. Benefits: None known to humans or the domestic ecosystem.