Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Hemiptera / Cimicidae

Size: 4 to 5 mm (about the size of an apple seed) when fully grown.

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Human dwellings, specifically in cracks, crevices, mattresses, bed frames, and upholstered furniture.

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to molts to the next stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known ecological benefits in domestic environments.

Identified on: 4/22/2026