Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: 4 mm to 7 mm in length (roughly the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Typically found in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas, specifically in mattress seams, bed frames, and upholstered furniture in human dwellings.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Mainly nocturnal and elusive; they are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide and undergo five nymphal stages, requiring a blood meal between each stage and before laying eggs.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include physical discomfort, allergic reactions to bites, and significant psychological stress or insomnia; they are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to their presence in human environments.
Identified on: 6/21/2026