Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order Hemiptera; Family Cimicidae
Size
Approximately 4 to 5 mm (adults), similar in size to an apple seed.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found in human dwellings, primarily in or around beds, mattresses, bed frames, and furniture crevices.

Diet & Feeding

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

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal pests that hide in dark crevices during the day. They use CO2 and body heat to locate hosts at night. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, insomnia, and anxiety. While they do not traditionally transmit diseases to humans, they are a significant social and economic nuisance. There are no known benefits.