Bed Bug / Bed Bug Nymph
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size: 1.5 mm to 5 mm (nymphs are smaller and translucent/yellowish, while adults are larger and reddish-brown).
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, specifically in cracks and crevices of mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and behind baseboards.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagy (exclusively feeds on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals).
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they emerge at night to feed and hide during the day. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but are considered a major household pest.
Identified on: 1/10/2026