Bed bugs (or bedbugs, Family Cimex) are true bugs that bite humans while they sleep at night.
Adults
(1) measure 0.5 cm in length with a width of 0.3 cm.
(2) have a mahogany brown color.
(3) are dorsoventrally flattened
(4) feed on blood
(5) give off an offensive odor
(6) live for months and are resistant to starvation
Bed bugs are nocturnal, feeding at night, typically just before dawn.
The bites are pruritic and irritating, especially when numerous. The irritation may be severe enough to interfere with sleep.
The bugs hide in dark places during the day (crevices, holes, under mattresses or clothing, behind pictures, behind baseboards, under carpet). The hiding places may be indicated by black feces left outside the opening.
Bed bugs are uncommon in developed countries but can be found in developing countries, especially in the tropics. Travelers to or from these regions may introduce the bugs into uninfested areas, especially hotels.
