
Community identification
Bed bug (likely)
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera; Cimicidae
- Size
- Adults are about 4–7 mm long; flattened, broadly oval, and reddish-brown after feeding.
Natural Habitat
Mattresses, bed frames, upholstered furniture, and cracks near sleeping areas; it can also inhabit luggage and clothing.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds exclusively on blood, primarily from humans, using piercing-sucking mouthparts. It usually feeds at night.
Behavior Patterns
Flightless and mostly nocturnal, hiding in crevices during daylight. Females lay eggs in sheltered locations, and infestations spread through luggage, clothing, and used furniture.
Risks & Benefits
Bites cause itchy welts and occasionally allergic reactions, but bed bugs are not known to transmit disease reliably. They provide no meaningful household or ecosystem benefit.