Bed bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Hemiptera: Cimicidae

Size: 4 to 5 mm (about the size of an apple seed) for adults.

Bed bug

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide in human dwellings, typically in cracks and crevices, mattresses, bed frames, and furniture.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive pests that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive months without a meal.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin rashes, allergic reactions, and psychological distress. While they carry pathogens, they are not known to transmit diseases to humans. They offer no ecosystem benefits in human environments.

Identified on: 6/30/2026