Bed Bug (Fecal Spot)

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius (indication)

Order & Family: Hemiptera, Cimicidae

Size: Droppings themselves are microscopic to pinprick size for individual spots, while adult bed bugs are 4-5 mm long.

Natural Habitat

Dwellings where humans or other hosts sleep, often in mattresses, bed frames, furniture, cracks, and crevices.

Diet & Feeding

Bed bugs feed exclusively on blood, primarily human blood. The dark spots are digested blood (feces).

Behavior Patterns

Bed bugs are nocturnal, feeding on hosts while they sleep. Fecal spots are a common sign of bed bug activity, often appearing on mattresses, sheets, and nearby furniture as dark, typically black or dark brown, digested blood. When wet, these spots may smear.

Risks & Benefits

Bed bugs are a pest. They cause itchy bites, skin irritation, and can lead to secondary infections from scratching. In rare cases, severe infestations can lead to anemia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known benefits.

Identified on: 11/3/2025