Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

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

Natural Habitat

Often found in bed frames, mattresses, and soft furniture inside human dwellings

Diet & Feeding

Obligate blood-feeders, primarily targeting humans during the night

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal parasites that hide in cracks and crevices during the day and emerge to feed while hosts are asleep

Risks & Benefits

Can cause itchy skin welts and allergic reactions; highly invasive and difficult to eradicate from homes, though they do not transmit diseases