
Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, specifically within cracks, crevices, and mattresses near host sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate blood-feeders, primarily consuming human blood during the night.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they undergo five nymphal stages requiring blood meals to molt and reach maturity.
Risks & Benefits
A significant urban pest causing skin rashes, psychological distress, and allergic symptoms, though they are not known vectors of disease.