Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size
5 to 7 millimeters (about the size of an apple seed)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Primarily human dwellings, hiding in mattress seams, bed frames, cracks, and crevices near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

Obligatory hematophagous (blood-feeders), primarily targeting humans but also feeding on other mammals and birds.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal insects that emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for months without a blood meal.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and potential allergic reactions to bites. They are a significant household pest, though they are not currently known to transmit pathogens to humans.