Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae

Size: 1 to 7 millimeters in length (about the size of an apple seed)

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Found primarily in human dwellings, particularly in and around sleeping areas like mattresses, bed frames, and headboards.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages (blood-feeders), typically feeding on human blood during the night.

Behavior Patterns

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

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin rashes, allergic reactions, and psychological distress. While they do not transmit diseases, they are considered a significant public health pest. There are no known ecological benefits for humans.

Identified on: 12/26/2025