Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: Approximately 4 to 5 millimeters (similar to the size of an apple seed).
Natural Habitat
Found primarily in human dwellings, hidden in mattresses, bed frames, cracks/crevices, and behind wallpaper or furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal, cryptic insects that emerge at night to feed. They go through five nymphal stages, requiring a blood meal between each molt, and produce several hundred eggs in a lifetime.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Causes itchy, red welts, psychological distress, and potential allergic reactions; they are not known vectors of disease. Benefits: None.
Identified on: 12/28/2025