Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Hemiptera: Cimicidae
Size: 1mm to 7mm (nymphs are smaller and translucent; adults are about the size of an apple seed).
Natural Habitat
Found globally in human dwellings, typically hiding in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and bed frames near sleeping hosts.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate blood-feeders, primarily consuming human blood but will feed on other warm-blooded animals if necessary.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and are attracted to the carbon dioxide and warmth produced by sleeping humans. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risk: Causes itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and allergic reactions. While they harbor pathogens, they are not known to transmit diseases to humans. Benefit: None to humans or the domestic ecosystem.
Identified on: 1/2/2026