Bed Bug (Likely)
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: Adults are approximately 4-5 mm long (about the size of an apple seed); nymphs range from 1 mm to 4 mm.
Natural Habitat
Found indoors, primarily in sleeping areas. They hide in cracks and crevices of bed frames, mattresses, box springs, headboards, and nearby furniture, often clustering together.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (blood-feeding); they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, preferring humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and parasitic. They emerge at night to feed on sleeping hosts. They do not fly or jump but crawl quickly. They go through five nymphal stages, requiring a blood meal to molt at each stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Their bites cause itchy red welts, anxiety, and insomnia. While not known to transmit disease, infestations can be psychologically distressing and difficult to eradicate. No known ecosystem benefits.
Identified on: 2/24/2026