Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera / Cimicidae
- Size
- 1mm to 7mm (approximately the size of an apple seed when adult).
Natural Habitat
Inhabits cracks and crevices in human dwellings, particularly in and around beds, mattresses, and furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Mainly nocturnal; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo a hemimetabolous life cycle involving five nymphal stages, each requiring a blood meal to molt.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include allergic reactions to bites, psychological distress, and skin infections from scratching. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but are considered a significant public health pest.