Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: 4 to 5 mm in length (roughly the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in cracks and crevices, bed frames, mattress seams, and upholstered furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Primarily nocturnal, emerging from hiding at night to feed. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy, red welts (bites), allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to humans; they are considered a significant pest.
Identified on: 6/10/2026