Common Bed Bug
Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius
Order & Family: Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
Size: Adults are approximately 4 to 5 mm (0.16 to 0.20 in) in length and 1.5 to 3 mm wide.
Natural Habitat
Domestic environments, specifically in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagy, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Mainly nocturnal, emerging at night to feed on hosts while they sleep. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for months without feeding.
Risks & Benefits
Primary risks include itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and allergic reactions. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to their presence in human dwellings.
Identified on: 4/30/2026