Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
Size
4 to 7 mm (approximately the size of an apple seed)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in indoor human dwellings, specifically in cracks, crevices, mattresses, bed frames, and upholstered furniture.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.

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 welts, allergic reactions, insomnia, and anxiety. They are considered a significant public health pest but are not currently known to transmit diseases to humans.