Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
- Size
- 1mm to 7mm depending on life stage (roughly the size of an apple seed when adult).
Natural Habitat
Found globally in human dwellings, typically hiding in cracks, crevices, mattresses, and furniture near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on blood, primarily from humans, usually at night.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and shy; they use heat and carbon dioxide to find hosts. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but are difficult to eradicate. There are no known ecological benefits for humans.