Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae

Size: 1 to 7 millimeters; nymphs are smaller and translucent, adults are larger and reddish-brown.

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Nests in cracks and crevices, mattress seams, and furniture near human 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 undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).

Risks & Benefits

They do not transmit diseases but their bites can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress. They are considered a significant household pest.

Identified on: 4/15/2026