
Community identification
Bed bug (likely, possibly crushed)
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera; Cimicidae
- Size
- Adults are about 4–7 mm long; nymphs are smaller and pale before feeding.
Natural Habitat
Mattresses, bed frames, upholstered furniture, cracks, and other sheltered areas near sleeping hosts; found worldwide, especially indoors.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds exclusively on blood, primarily from humans and other warm-blooded animals, usually at night.
Behavior Patterns
Mostly nocturnal and hide in crevices during daylight. Females lay eggs in sheltered sites, and infestations spread by hitchhiking in luggage, clothing, and furniture.
Risks & Benefits
Bites cause itchy, localized reactions and can trigger allergic responses, but bed bugs are not known to transmit disease routinely. They provide little meaningful ecological benefit indoors.