Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically cracked and crevices near sleeping areas such as mattresses, box springs, and bed frames
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 (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to molt
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. Although they carry pathogens, they are not known to transmit diseases to humans. They provide no known ecological benefits to humans