Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae

Size: 1 to 7 millimeters; adults are about the size of an apple seed.

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, specifically cracks and crevices near sleeping areas, such as 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; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to molt.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress/insomnia. While they do not transmit pathogens, infestations are difficult to eradicate and costly to treat. There are no known ecosystem benefits.

Identified on: 1/12/2026