Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 1 to 7 millimeters (about the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, specifically in furniture, mattress seams, bed frames, and cracks or crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, anxiety, and insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases but are significant household pests that require professional control.