Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size
4 to 5 mm (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Human dwellings, specifically in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and headboards.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophagous (blood-eaters), primarily feeding on human blood, though they may bite other mammals or birds.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night; they undergo hemimetabolous metamorphosis, passing through five nymphal stages that each require a blood meal to molt.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, sleep deprivation, and psychological distress. While they are not known to transmit diseases to humans, they are a significant domestic pest requiring professional extermination.