Bed Bugs (Cimex Lectularius)

Bed bugs are a resurging problem worldwide, causing property loss, expense, and inconvenience. The good news is that bed bugs do not transmit disease. The best way to prevent bed bugs is regular inspection for signs of an infestation.

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed solely on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. Bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, wingless, range from 1mm to 7mm (roughly the size of Lincoln's head on a penny), and can live several months without a blood meal.

Find out what bed bugs look like and how to prevent and treat bed bugs. Learn more about products for bed bugs and general information at Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP).

Bed bugs – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention