Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 mm to 7 mm long (about the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Nests in mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and cracks/crevices near human sleeping areas
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous; 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 to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive months without feeding.
Risks & Benefits
Risk of itchy welts and allergic reactions from bites, as well as significant psychological distress and insomnia. While they are a major pest, they are not known to transmit diseases to humans.