What Are Bed Bugs?

Known by the scientific name Cimex lectularius (Cimicidae), bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals. These oval or flat-shaped bugs are visible to the human eye both as nymphs and eggs and in their adult form. As newborns, bed bugs are called hatchlings or nymphs and are about the size of a poppy seed. At adult size, they measure approximately a quarter of an inch long.

Bed bugs most commonly inhabit soft furnishings like sofas and bed mattresses, and are a growing problem in residences such as homes, army barracks, shelters, dormitories, cruise ships, and hotels. After a human is bitten, marks left behind by bed bugs are clearly visible on the skin.

A red, black, or dark blob of blood is also clearly visible within the body of the parasite. When disturbed, bed bugs retreat to dark cracks and crevices within a structure. Because of their small size and preference for areas that are out of view, beg bugs can be a difficult problem to manage. Professional pest control services are the best way to address an infestation.

For more information on bed bugs, see below:

How Do I Get rid of Bed Bugs?