Bed Bug

Primarily human dwellings, especially beds, mattresses, bed frames, and living spaces; also found in cracks, crevices, furniture, and wall voids. They prefer dark, undisturbed areas close to their hosts.

Strictly hematophagous, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans. They feed by piercing the skin with their elongated mouthparts and drawing blood.

Nocturnal feeders, primarily active at night when their hosts are asleep. They are very cryptic and hide during the day. Bed bugs often bite in a linear pattern or clustered arrangement, sometimes referred to as 'breakfast, lunch, and dinner.' They are not known to transmit diseases, but their bites can cause itchy welts. They are highly resilient and can survive for several months without a blood meal.

Potential risks include itchy bites leading to discomfort, sleep deprivation, and secondary skin infections from scratching. In some individuals, allergic reactions can occur. They do not transmit human diseases. There are no known benefits to humans or the ecosystem; they are considered a nuisance pest.