Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Found globally in human dwellings, typically in cracks and crevices, mattresses, bed frames, and furniture near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on blood, primarily from humans but also from other warm-blooded animals.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive; they emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph stages, adult) and require a blood meal to molt at each stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy bites, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and psychological distress. While they carry pathogens, they are not known to transmit diseases to humans. They provide no known ecosystem benefits in domestic settings.

Identified on: 5/4/2026