
Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 7 mm (approximately the size of an apple seed)
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.