Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: Approximately 4 to 5 mm in length (about the size of an apple seed) for adults; nymphs are smaller and lighter in color.
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, specifically within human dwellings. They frequent mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, cracks in walls, and upholstered furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans. They typically feed at night while the host is sleeping.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive insects that hide during the day. They have a hemimetabolous life cycle (egg, nymph, adult). They do not fly or jump but can crawl rapidly. They are often transported by humans via luggage, clothing, or used furniture.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and significant psychological distress/insomnia. While they are not known to transmit diseases to humans, they are considered a major public health pest. There are no known benefits to the ecosystem or humans.
Identified on: 2/14/2026