Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Hemiptera: Cimicidae

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

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Human dwellings, specifically in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and bed frames near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; 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 undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to molt.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy welts, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans.

Identified on: 1/10/2026