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
Primarily human dwellings, hiding in cracks, crevices, mattresses, and furniture near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate blood feeders, primarily targeting humans during the night.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that use heat and carbon dioxide to locate hosts; they undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress; they are not known vectors of disease but represent a significant pest nuisance.