Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
Size: 1 to 5 mm (adults are about the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Found in human dwellings, typically in mattress seams, bed frames, cracks, and crevices.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, feeding primarily on human blood at night.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they use heat and carbon dioxide to locate hosts, feed for 3-10 minutes, and then retreat to hide.
Risks & Benefits
Nocturnal pests that cause itchy welts and psychological distress; they do not transmit diseases but can cause secondary skin infections from scratching.
Identified on: 5/18/2026