Bed bugs are parasites that preferentially feed on humans. They need to feed on blood to grow and reproduce. There are two species of human bed bug, the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. and the tropical bed bug C. hemipterus Fabr. In the past decade, bed bugs have begun making a comeback across the United States, although they are not considered to be a major pest.    

• Bed Bugs - Frequently Asked Questions (CDC)

For more information, view the following resources:

• Connecticut Department of Public Health - Bed Bugs: What to Consider When Treating for Bed Bugs with Pesticides
• Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station - A Home Owner’s Guide to the Human Bed bugs Cimex lectularius L., C. hemipterus Fabr. (Cimicidae: Heteroptera)
• The Connecticut Coalition Against Bed Bugs (CCABB) - Presentations and Information from the CT Bed Bug Forum

• NYC Department of Health - Stop Bed Bugs Safely (pdf)

• Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station - Bed Bugs Fact Sheet (pdf)

• Bed Bug Presentation (pdf)

• What NOT to do if you find bed bugs (pdf)

Contact Information:

• For health concerns, please contact your local health department 
• Local Health Departments
• Pesticide use: Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, (860) 424-3369
• Insect identification and treatment: Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, (203) 974-8600
• Pesticide poisoning: Connecticut Poison Control Center, 1-800-222-1222