Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 millimeters long (about the size of an apple seed) when fully grown.
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, primarily found in cracks and crevices, mattresses, bed frames, and furniture near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive. They hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal stages, each requiring a blood meal to molt.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. While they do not transmit diseases to humans, they are major household pests that are difficult and expensive to eradicate.