Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, specifically cracks, crevices, bedding, and furniture in human dwellings.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal insects that emerge from hiding at night to feed. They undergo simple metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive months without a blood meal.
Risks & Benefits
Primary risks include itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and allergic reactions. They are not known to transmit diseases but are significant urban pests.