
Community identification
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
Human dwellings, specifically in bed frames, mattresses, and furniture cracks
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages (blood feeders), primarily feeding on human blood
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed on sleeping hosts
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, insomnia, and psychological distress; they are not known to transmit diseases.