
Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm in length for adults
Natural Habitat
Found indoors in residential homes, hotels, and crowded environments, typically hiding in mattress seams, bed frames, cracks, and crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Exclusively blood (obligate hematophages), primarily targeting humans but occasionally feeding on birds or rodents.
Behavior Patterns
Primarily nocturnal; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph stages, adult) and require a blood meal to progress through each stage.
Risks & Benefits
They do not transmit diseases to humans but cause itchy welts, allergic reactions, and significant psychological distress. They have no environmental benefits and are considered significant household pests.