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 where humans or animals sleep, such as beds, mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and cracks in walls or floors.

Diet & Feeding

Exclusively blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal, hiding in cracks and crevices during the day and emerging at night to feed. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat. They leave behind fecal spots (digested blood) and shed skins.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include itchy bites, skin irritation, secondary infections from scratching, and psychological distress. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known benefits to humans.