Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4–5 mm long (about the size of an apple seed).
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, primarily found in bed frames, mattresses, cracks and crevices in furniture, and behind wallpaper.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal insects that emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult). They crawl quickly but cannot fly or jump.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress (anxiety/insomnia). They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to humans.