Bed Bug

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, specifically human dwellings. They reside in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and baseboards near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophagous (blood-feeders), primarily on human blood, though they may feed on other warm-blooded animals if humans are unavailable.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive. They are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide. They undergo five nymphal stages, requiring a blood meal to molt into each successive stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress or insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits in human environments.

Identified on: 1/6/2026