Species › Insects & Arthropods › Bed Bug

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

CommonInsect & Arthropod
Illustration of Bed Bug (Cimex lectularius)

The Bed Bug is a small, flat, reddish-brown human ectoparasite that feeds exclusively on blood at night, hiding in mattress seams, baseboards, and furniture during the day. Its bites cause itchy welts in many people, though it is not known to transmit diseases. After decades of near-eradication, global travel and pesticide resistance have led to a dramatic resurgence since the 1990s.

Habitat
Human sleeping areas, hotels, dormitories, and furniture
Diet
Adults and nymphs: blood of sleeping humans
How common
Common

Best time to see a Bed Bug

The best time to see a Bed Bug is March–September, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 840 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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Not certain it is a Bed Bug? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

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