Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae

Size: 1 - 7 mm (nymphs are smaller and lighter in color; adults are about the size of an apple seed).

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Human dwellings, specifically cracks and crevices in beds, furniture, and walls.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophagy; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risk of allergic reactions to bites, skin irritation, and significant psychological distress. They are not known to transmit diseases.

Identified on: 5/16/2026