Bug Identifier
Bed bug
Community identification

Bed bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Hemiptera (true bugs), Cimicidae (bed bugs)
Size
4-5 mm (adults), typically apple seed-sized
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Primarily human dwellings, especially bedrooms; they hide in cracks and crevices of mattresses, bed frames, furniture, walls, and flooring during the day and emerge at night to feed.

Diet & Feeding

Exclusively blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans. Nymphs and adults feed by piercing the skin and sucking blood.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal, cryptic (hide during the day), and aggregate in harborage areas. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat. They can survive for several months without feeding.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include itchy red welts from bites, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and psychological distress. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known benefits.