Common Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Hemiptera: Cimicidae

Size: 4–5 mm (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.

Common Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Dwellings with human inhabitants, specifically in mattress seams, bed frames, cracks/crevices, and behind wallpaper.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophagous (blood-feeders), primarily targeting humans but also feeding on other warm-blooded animals.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive; they emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive months without a meal.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress (insomnia/anxiety). They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but are significant household pests.

Identified on: 12/28/2025