
Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (size of an apple seed)
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