Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Primarily human dwellings (beds, mattresses, bed frames, furniture, cracks and crevices), but can be found in other places like hotels, public transport, and theaters.

Diet & Feeding

Exclusively blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans. They feed by piercing the skin and drawing blood.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal feeders, hiding during the day in dark, secluded places. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat. Females lay 1-5 eggs per day, which hatch in 6-17 days. Nymphs molt five times, requiring a blood meal between each molt, before reaching adulthood. Adults can live for 6-12 months.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Bed bugs do not transmit diseases, but their bites can cause itchy red welts, allergic reactions, skin infections from scratching, and psychological distress (anxiety, sleep deprivation). They are difficult to eradicate and can infest homes quickly. Benefits: None to humans; they can serve as a food source for some other insects.

Identified on: 10/7/2025