Bug Identifier
Bed bug
Community identification

Bed bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Hemiptera, Cimicidae
Size
4 to 5 mm in length
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found indoors in human dwellings, typically hiding in crevices of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, furniture, and baseboards.

Diet & Feeding

Hematophagous (feeds exclusively on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals)

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and active primarily at night, seeking hosts while they sleep. They are wingless, unable to fly or jump, and crawl swiftly.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy, irritating bites and secondary skin infections from scratching; severe infestations can cause psychological distress. They provide no known benefits to human dwellings.