Community identification
Bed bug (probable)
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera; Cimicidae
- Size
- Adults are about 4–7 mm long; flattened, broadly oval, and reddish-brown, becoming darker after feeding.
Natural Habitat
Mattresses, bed frames, upholstered furniture, cracks, and other sheltered indoor locations near sleeping hosts.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds almost exclusively on blood, mainly from humans and other warm-blooded animals.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and secretive; hides during daylight and emerges to feed. It can survive for months without feeding and spreads by hitchhiking in luggage, clothing, and furniture.
Risks & Benefits
Bites cause itchy welts and sometimes allergic reactions, but bed bugs are not known to transmit disease routinely. They provide little ecological benefit indoors; professional treatment is often needed for infestations.