Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Hemiptera / Cimicidae
Size
4-5 mm (adults)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Dwellings, especially mattresses, bed frames, furniture, cracks in walls, and other dark, secluded areas where humans rest.

Diet & Feeding

Strictly hematophagous, feeding exclusively on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal, typically feeding at night while hosts are sleeping. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat. They hide in cracks and crevices during the day.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include itchy red welts from bites, allergic reactions in some individuals, and secondary skin infections from scratching. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known benefits.