Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Hemiptera (Order), Cimicidae (Family)
Size: Adult bed bugs are typically 4-5 mm (0.16-0.20 inches) long, oval-shaped, and flattened before feeding; they become engorged and reddish-brown after a blood meal.
Natural Habitat
Bed bugs are typically found in human dwellings, particularly in beds, mattresses, bed frames, headboards, and cracks in walls and furniture. They hide in small crevices close to where their hosts rest.
Diet & Feeding
Bed bugs are obligate hematophagous insects, meaning their sole food source is blood. They feed primarily on human blood but will also feed on other warm-blooded animals if humans are not available.
Behavior Patterns
Bed bugs are primarily nocturnal, feeding on hosts while they sleep. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat. They can survive for several months without a blood meal. Females lay 1-5 eggs per day, typically in cracks and crevices.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Bed bug bites can cause itchy welts, leading to skin irritation and potential secondary infections from scratching. They do not transmit diseases to humans. Benefits: No known direct benefits to humans or ecosystems, as they are considered parasitic pests.
Identified on: 6/25/2025