Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order Hemiptera; Family Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm in length (roughly the size of an apple seed) depending on feeding status.
Natural Habitat
Found globally in human dwellings, typically nesting in mattress seams, bed frames, cracks, crevices, and carpet edges.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide. They undergo simple metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive months without a meal.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress/insomnia; however, they are not known to transmit pathogens to humans. There are no ecological benefits to their presence in homes.