Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera, Cimicidae
- Size
- 1 to 7 millimeters (depending on life stage and feeding status)
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, primarily in mattresses, bed frames, cracks in walls, and behind furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (obligate blood-feeders), primarily feeding on human blood.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal; they hide in dark crevices during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo a hemimetabolous life cycle with five nymphal stages.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic skin reactions, skin infections from scratching, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans.