Bed bug

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, specifically within human dwellings, nesting in mattress seams, bed frames, cracks, and crevices.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophagous (blood-feeding), primarily preferring human blood but will feed on other warm-blooded animals if necessary.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal stages that each require a blood meal to molt.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and potential allergic reactions to bites. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to their presence in human habitats.

Identified on: 2/28/2026