Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: Adults are approximately 4-5 mm (about the size of an apple seed); nymphs range from 1 mm to 4 mm.
Natural Habitat
Almost exclusively found in human dwellings, typically hiding in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, and headboards.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (blood-feeders), feeding exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, preferring humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and cryptic; they emerge at night to feed on sleeping hosts. They are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide. They do not fly or jump but can crawl rapidly.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: While not known to transmit disease, their bites can cause allergic skin reactions, itching, anxiety, and insomnia. Infestations are difficult and expensive to eliminate. Benefits: None known to humans or the ecosystem.
Identified on: 3/6/2026