Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: 1 to 7 millimeters (about the size of an apple seed when adult).
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, primarily in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas, such as mattresses, box springs, and bed frames.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive. They are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide and typically feed every 5 to 10 days, spending the rest of their time digesting and mating in secluded hiding spots.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts and allergic reactions from bites, as well as significant psychological distress and insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to humans.
Identified on: 3/24/2026