Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: 1 to 7 millimeters (about the size of an apple seed when fully grown and fed).
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in mattresses, bed frames, cracks, and crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide produced by hosts.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to humans.
Identified on: 6/29/2026