Bed Bug (crushed specimen)

Natural Habitat

Human dwellings, specifically cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and furniture.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.

Behavior Patterns

They are nocturnal, emerging at night to feed on hosts. They undergo simple metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for months without a blood meal.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include skin rashes, psychological distress, and allergic reactions to bites; they are considered a significant urban pest but are not known to transmit diseases to humans. Benefits are none; they are strictly parasitic pests.

Identified on: 5/20/2026