Bed Bug

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Order & Family: Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae

Size: 1 to 7 millimeters in length, depending on whether they have recently fed.

Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Found globally in human dwellings, typically in cracks and crevices, mattresses, bed frames, and upholstered furniture.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.

Behavior Patterns

Mainly nocturnal and hide during the day. They detect hosts using carbon dioxide and body heat; their life cycle involves five nymphal stages requiring blood meals to molt.

Risks & Benefits

While not known to transmit diseases, their bites can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress including anxiety and insomnia. They are significant urban pests.

Identified on: 5/21/2026