Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera / Cimicidae
- Size
- 1mm to 7mm (nymphs are smaller and translucent; adults are about the size of an apple seed).
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, primarily hiding in bed frames, mattresses, and furniture near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages (blood-feeders), primarily feeding on human blood but occasionally on other mammals or birds.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide in narrow cracks during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, insomnia, and psychological distress. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known ecological benefits for humans.