Bed bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera, Cimicidae
- Size
- Adults are typically 4-5 mm (3/16 inch) long, about the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Primarily found in human dwellings, especially in beds, mattresses, bed frames, and crevices within bedrooms. They prefer warm environments and close proximity to host blood meals.
Diet & Feeding
Exclusively feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans. They pierce the skin with a stylet and suck blood, usually at night.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal, hiding in cracks and crevices during the day and emerging to feed at night. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat. They are skilled at hiding and can go for long periods without a blood meal. Females lay several eggs per day, which hatch into nymphs that undergo five molts before becoming adults, requiring a blood meal at each stage.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risks include itchy bites and skin irritation, which can lead to secondary skin infections from scratching. They do not transmit diseases to humans. There are no known benefits of bed bugs to humans or the ecosystem.