Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
Size
4 to 5 mm in length for adults
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found exclusively in human dwellings, typically in or near sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and floorboards.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophagous insects, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of vertebrates, primarily humans.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive, they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They go through five nymphal stages, requiring a blood meal to molt between each stage.

Risks & Benefits

They do not transmit diseases but can cause significant allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress. They are considered a major urban pest with no ecological benefits to human environments.