What is a bed bug?

A bed bug is a small, parasitic insect scientifically classified under the species Cimex lectularius (with Cimex hemipterus being a tropical variant). They belong to the family Cimicidae and are known for feeding exclusively on blood, usually human or other warm-blooded animals like pets or birds.

Bed bugs are nocturnal, hiding during the day in places like:

• mattresses
• bed frames
• furniture
• cracks in walls

..and coming out at night to bite sleeping hosts.

They don’t transmit diseases, but their bites can cause itchy, red welts and sometimes allergic reactions.

Bed bugs are tough little survivors—they can live for months without a meal, and their flat bodies let them squeeze into tiny spaces.

They’ve been around humans for thousands of years, but they’ve made a big comeback in recent decades due to travel, pesticide resistance, and less awareness.