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
Indoor environments near human sleeping areas, including mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and wall cracks
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous (blood-feeders), primarily feeding on human blood during the night
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide in dark crevices during the day and are attracted to the warmth and CO2 emitted by sleeping hosts
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, psychological distress, and secondary skin infections from scratching; they are not known to transmit diseases