Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 5 to 7 millimeters in length (about the size of an apple seed) when adult.
Natural Habitat
Primarily human dwellings, hiding in mattress seams, bed frames, and cracks near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligative hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that emerge at night to feed. They are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress. While they do not transmit diseases, infestations are difficult and costly to eradicate.