Bug Identifier
Bed bug (likely)
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.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.