Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

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

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide in human dwellings, typically nesting in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, and cracks or crevices near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.

Behavior Patterns

Mainly nocturnal; they emerge at night to feed and hide during the day. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to molt into the next stage.

Risks & Benefits

They are significant structural pests that cause itchy welts and psychological distress. While they are not known to transmit diseases to humans, heavy infestations can lead to secondary skin infections or anemia.