Bed Bug (Casing or Dead Specimen)

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae

Size: Adults are 4-5 mm (about 3/16 inch) long; casings are smaller and translucent.

Bed Bug (Casing or Dead Specimen)

Natural Habitat

Typically found indoors in temperate climates; harbors in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas, including mattresses, bed frames, behind wallpaper, and in furniture.

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous (feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, especially humans).

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal feeders attracted to CO2 and body heat. They are thigmotactic (prefer tight spaces) and often aggregate in clusters.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can cause itchy bites, allergic reactions, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Benefits: None known; considered a significant household pest.

Identified on: 2/18/2026