
Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm in length (about the size of an apple seed) when fully grown.
Natural Habitat
Found globally in human dwellings, typically hidden in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, 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 insects that emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for several months without a meal.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known ecological benefits to human environments.