Bed Bug

Found exclusively indoors, primarily in bedrooms, hiding in mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, headboards, behind loose wallpaper, and inside electrical outlets near sleeping areas.

Hematophagous (feeds exclusively on blood), preferring humans but will feed on other warm-blooded animals if necessary.

Nocturnal parasites that emerge at night to feed on sleeping hosts. They are thigmotactic (preferring tight spaces) and leave behind dark fecal spots, shed skins, and tiny pearly white eggs. They do not fly or jump but crawl quickly.

Risks: Bed bugs cause itchy red welts, allergic reactions, anxiety, and insomnia. While they are not known major vectors of disease, infestations are psychologically distressing and difficult to eradicate. Benefits: None known.