Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 1mm to 7mm (nymphs are smaller and translucent, adults are larger and reddish-brown)
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically tucked into mattress seams, bed frames, furniture, and cracks or crevices in walls.
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 to the next stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and allergic reactions to bites. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known ecological benefits in a domestic human setting; they are considered significant household pests.