Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae

Size: 4 to 5 mm (approx. 3/16 inch) as adults; slightly larger after a blood meal.

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, primarily cracks and crevices near human sleeping areas, mattresses, and furniture.

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. They go through five nymphal stages (instars) and require a blood meal to molt into the next stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin welts and allergic reactions to bites; they can cause significant psychological distress and sleep loss. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known benefits to the ecosystem.

Identified on: 12/26/2025