Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Hemiptera / Cimicidae
Size
1.5 mm (nymphs) to 5 mm (adults)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Nests in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and furniture near human sleeping areas indoors.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages; 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 with five nymphal stages, each requiring a blood meal to molt.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but are high-nuisance domestic pests.