Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order Hemiptera; Family Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (about the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, primarily in cracks and crevices of beds, upholstered furniture, and walls
Diet & Feeding
Exclusively blood, primarily from humans but will also feed on other warm-blooded animals
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed; they undergo incomplete metamorphosis through five nymphal stages
Risks & Benefits
High risk of skin irritation and allergic reactions from bites, significant psychological stress and financial burden from infestations; they are not known to transmit diseases