
Community identification
Bed bug (probable)
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera; Cimicidae
- Size
- Adults are about 4–7 mm long—roughly apple-seed sized; nymphs are smaller and paler.
Natural Habitat
Mattresses, bed frames, upholstered furniture, cracks, and other sheltered indoor locations, usually near sleeping hosts.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds exclusively on blood, primarily from humans and occasionally other warm-blooded animals. It usually feeds at night and retreats afterward.
Behavior Patterns
Flattened, wingless adults hide in crevices and can survive months without feeding. They spread by crawling or hitchhiking in luggage, clothing, and furniture; the image is too blurred for definitive identification.
Risks & Benefits
Not known to transmit diseases efficiently, but bites can cause itching, allergic reactions, and secondary infection from scratching. They provide no meaningful household benefit and can be difficult and costly to eliminate.