Bug Identifier
Bed Bug (Fecal Spotting / Speckling)
Community identification

Bed Bug (Fecal Spotting / Speckling)

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size
N/A for spotting; adult insects are 4-5 mm in length (about the size of an apple seed).
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Human dwellings, primarily found in seams of mattresses, bed frames, headboards, and cracks or crevices near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

Strictly hematophagous (blood-feeding), primarily on humans during the night while the host is sleeping.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day. The black spots shown are digested blood (fecal matter) excreted by the bugs onto surfaces like sheets, tape, or mattress seams.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Causes itchy welts, allergic reactions, and significant psychological distress/insomnia. No known benefits. This spotting is a common sign of an active infestation that typically requires professional pest control.