Bed Bug

Found inside residential homes and hospitality environments, typically dwelling within mattress seams, bed frames, cracks, and crevices near sleeping areas.

Obligate hematophagous (feeds exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans).

Nocturnal and elusive; they use heat and carbon dioxide to locate hosts, feed for 3-10 minutes, and then retreat to hide. They hitchhike on luggage, clothing, and used furniture to spread.

Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and significant psychological distress; however, they are not known to transmit diseases. Beneficial for the ecosystem as a food source for spiders/centipedes, but considered a major pest to humans.