Order: Heteroptera

Family: Cimicidae

The Bed Bug gets its common name because of this bug's behavior to seek refuge in bedding materials during the day, and then feed on the bed's occupant in the night. Early colonists are responsible for introducing the Bed Bug to the United States. It is now found throughout the world.

Description: Adult Bed Bugs are approximately 3/16 of an inch long-not much larger than a pin head. These pests are "broadly oval and flat". Their color ranges from brown to reddish brown after a blood feeding.

Biology: Female Bed Bugs, on average, lay one to five eggs each day. These eggs are deposited individually into cracks, crevices and rough surfaces generally around beds, sofas and chairs. Developmental time from egg to adult can range from 21 days to 120 days. Although there is no empirical evidence, Bed Bugs are suspected in the transmission of many diseases.

Habits: Bed Bugs are introduced into a new environment through used furniture or on the belongings of someone living in an infested situation. Bed bugs will crawl long distances to get a blood meal.