Community identification
Common bed bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 5 to 7 millimeters in length (about the size of an apple seed).
Natural Habitat
Domestic environments, specifically in cracks, crevices, bed frames, and mattresses near host sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of humans and sometimes other warm-blooded animals.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that emerge at night to feed. They are attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide. After feeding, they retreat to well-hidden harborages to digest and reproduce.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and potential allergic reactions to bites. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to their presence in human dwellings.