Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (adults), small and reddish-brown when fed
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, predominantly in beds, mattresses, cracks, and crevices near human sleeping areas
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis from egg to nymph to adult
Risks & Benefits
They do not transmit diseases but their bites can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress. They are considered a significant household pest