Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Hemiptera / Cimicidae

Size: 4 to 5 mm in length (roughly the size of an apple seed)

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, predominantly in mattresses, bed frames, and crevices near human sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive. They typically emerge at night to feed and hide during the day in dark cracks. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and allergic reactions. While not known to transmit diseases, they are a significant household pest. They provide no known ecological benefits to human habitats.

Identified on: 4/16/2026