Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in cracks, crevices, mattresses, bed frames, and upholstered furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal insects that emerge from hiding 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, secondary skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans.