Bed Bug (Likely Cast Skin/Exuvia or Fragments)
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- Commonly 4-5 mm (adults), nymphs are smaller (1-4 mm); cast skins vary by life stage but keep the general bug shape.
Natural Habitat
Found exclusively in human dwellings, typically nesting in mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, headboards, behind loose wallpaper, and inside electrical outlets near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (feeds exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals), preferring humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide in narrow cracks during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis, shedding their skins (exuviae) 5 times before reaching adulthood, leaving behind the translucent, amber-colored casings often gathered in harborage areas.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Bed bugs cause itchy, irritating bites and potential allergic reactions; heavy infestations cause significant psychological distress, insomnia, and anxiety. They are not known to transmit diseases. Benefits: None known.