Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Primarily indoor environments where humans sleep, such as bedrooms, mattresses, and furniture cracks.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagy; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night; they undergo hemimetabolous metamorphosis.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risk of allergic reactions, sleep deprivation, and psychological distress; they are not known vectors of disease but are major household pests.