Bug Identifier
Common Bed Bug
Community identification

Common Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size
4 to 5 mm in length (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, primarily in cracks and crevices near human sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and baseboards.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to progress through each growth stage.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include skin irritation, allergic reactions to bites, and psychological distress. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to their presence in human dwellings.