Common Bed Bug (Nymph/Exuviae)

Natural Habitat

Human dwellings, specifically in cracks, crevices, bed frames, mattresses, and behind wallpaper or baseboards.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo five nymphal stages, requiring a blood meal to molt into the next stage, leaving behind amber-colored cast skins (exuviae).

Risks & Benefits

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

Identified on: 2/16/2026