Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide in human dwellings. They hide in dark, protected areas, typically in cracks and crevices of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, furniture, and behind wallpaper or baseboards.

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, with a strong preference for humans.

Behavior Patterns

Primarily nocturnal, emerging from their hiding places at night to feed on sleeping hosts. They are attracted by body heat and carbon dioxide. After feeding, they return to secluded locations where they mate and lay eggs. They leave behind evidence such as fecal spots (small dark or rust-colored stains), shed skins, and a sweet, musty odor in heavy infestations.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Bites can cause itchy, red welts on the skin and may lead to secondary skin infections from scratching. While not known to transmit diseases, infestations can cause significant psychological distress, including anxiety, stress, and insomnia. They are difficult and costly to eradicate. Benefits: There are no known benefits; they are considered a major pest.

Identified on: 11/16/2025