Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (about the size of an apple seed) for adults; nymphs are smaller and translucent.
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, particularly in and around sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and furniture cracks.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to molt at each stage.
Risks & Benefits
They do not transmit diseases, but their bites can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress. They are considered a significant urban pest but offer no ecological benefits to human environments.