Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 mm to 7 mm (roughly the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, primarily in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and behind wallpaper or baseboards.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly hematophagous (blood-feeding), primarily preferring human blood but will feed on other warm-blooded animals.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal, attracted by CO2 and body heat; they undergo incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal stages, each requiring a blood meal to molt.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, secondary skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress; they are not known to transmit diseases to humans.