Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
- Size
- Approximately 4 to 5 mm (size of an apple seed) when well-fed.
Natural Habitat
Found primarily in human dwellings, hidden in cracks, crevices, bed frames, and mattresses.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous (blood-eaters), primarily feeding on human blood.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed on sleeping hosts. They go through five nymphal stages before reaching adulthood, requiring a blood meal to molt at each stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy welts, allergic reactions, insomnia, and psychological distress. While they do not transmit diseases to humans, infestations can be difficult and expensive to eradicate. They provide no ecosystem benefits to humans.