
Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 1 - 5 millimeters (varies by life stage)
Natural Habitat
Crevices in beds, furniture, walls, and floorboards in dwellings occupied by humans.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate blood feeders, primarily targeting humans during the night.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that hide in dark, secluded areas during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis.
Risks & Benefits
Significant nuisance pest; bites cause itching, allergic reactions, and sleep deprivation. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans.