Common Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Bed bugs are typically found in human dwellings, especially bedrooms, living rooms, and any areas where people rest. They infest mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, furniture (dressers, nightstands), cracks in walls or floors, behind baseboards, and even in electrical outlets. They are also common in hotels, apartments, dormitories, and public transportation.

Diet & Feeding

Bed bugs are hematophagous, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans. They typically feed for 3-10 minutes before becoming engorged and returning to their hiding places.

Behavior Patterns

Bed bugs are primarily nocturnal, hiding during the day in cracks and crevices in mattresses, bed frames, furniture, or walls, and emerging at night to feed. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat. Females lay eggs in secluded places, and nymphs undergo five instars, each requiring a blood meal to molt. They can survive for several months to over a year without a blood meal.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Bed bug bites can cause itchy welts, skin irritation, and allergic reactions in some individuals. While they are not known to transmit diseases, their bites can lead to secondary skin infections from scratching. Psychological distress, anxiety, and sleep deprivation are also common in infested individuals. Benefits: None for humans; they are considered significant pests.

Identified on: 9/2/2025