Bed Bugs

In most parts of the United States the only bed bug of importance to humans is Cimex lectularius. Bed bugs of this species feed on blood, mostly from people, but are also known to feed on bats or other animals including rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, and domestic fowl, especially when the animals are housed in laboratories. The bed bug has a sharp beak that it uses to pierce the skin of the host. It then begins feeding, injecting a fluid that helps in obtaining food. This fluid causes the skin to become swollen and itchy. Bed bugs are nocturnal, feeding at night, often biting people who are asleep. Where infestations are severe one may detect an offensive odor that comes from an oily liquid the bugs emit. Bed bugs can be enticed to bite during the day if light is subdued and they are hungry. For more information read our Horticulture leaflet on Bed bugs.

For more household pest information go to our Horticulture Leaflets page.

The red-brown bedbug in the center is an adult, a lighter colored nymph is visible in the upper left corner, and the round dark spots are blood spots. (Gary Alpert, Harvard University, www.Bugwood.org)