Community identification
Common Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (roughly the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically cracks and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and furniture
Diet & Feeding
Obligate blood-feeders, primarily consuming human blood but may bite other warm-blooded animals
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal insects that emerge at night to feed; they undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for months without a meal
Risks & Benefits
Potential risks include itchy welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress; they are not known to transmit diseases to humans but act as significant household pests