Bed Bug (First-stage instar nymph)

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, specifically within cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and furniture near human sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (5 nymphal stages), requiring a blood meal to molt to the next stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. While they do not efficiently transmit diseases, they are a significant pest of public health importance and difficult to eradicate. They provide no ecosystem benefits in a domestic setting.

Identified on: 3/13/2026