Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Hemiptera: Cimicidae
Size
1 - 5 millimeters (varies by life stage)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.