Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order Hemiptera; Family Cimicidae
Size: Approximately 4 to 5 mm (0.16 to 0.20 inches) long; about the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Found in human dwellings, typically hidden in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, and cracks or crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
They are primarily nocturnal, emerging from hiding at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for several months without feeding.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy red welts from bites, allergic reactions, and psychological distress (anxiety/insomnia). While they do not efficiently transmit diseases, they are significant domestic pests. There are no known ecological benefits in human environments.
Identified on: 2/13/2026