
Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm in length (adults), increasing slightly after a blood meal.
Natural Habitat
Found worldwide in human dwellings, typically nesting in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and bed frames near sleeping hosts.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous (blood-feeders), primarily targeting humans but may feed on other warm-blooded animals.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymphal stages, and adult).
Risks & Benefits
Significant household pest that causes itchy, red welts through bites. While they do not transmit diseases, they can cause psychological distress, allergic reactions, and sleep deprivation.