Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Hemiptera: Cimicidae
Size: 4 to 5 mm (adults), about the size of an apple seed; nymphs are smaller (1 to 4 mm).
Natural Habitat
Typically found in human dwellings, hidden in cracks, crevices, mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and behind baseboards near where people sleep.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans. They prefer to feed at night.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive. They hide during the day in tight clusters. Females lay sticky eggs in secluded areas. They can survive for months without feeding.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Bed bugs cause itchy bites that can lead to secondary skin infections, allergic reactions, anxiety, and insomnia. They are a significant nuisance pest but are not known to transmit disease effectively. Benefits: None known.
Identified on: 2/25/2026