Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Hemiptera: Cimicidae
Size
4 to 5 mm in length (roughly the size of an apple seed)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Primarily indoor environments, hiding in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and cracks or crevices near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal insects that emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for months without a blood meal.

Risks & Benefits

Significant domestic pest. Risks include itchy bites, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and high levels of psychological stress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases.