Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 1 to 7 millimeters (adults are roughly the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Found in human dwellings, typically in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, and cracks in furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, feeding almost exclusively on the blood of humans, though they may bite other mammals.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal pests that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, insomnia, and anxiety. They do not typically transmit diseases but are significant household pests.