Common Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera / Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 mm to 7 mm in length (adults); smaller and translucent as nymphs.
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, primarily in cracks and crevices near human sleeping areas such as mattresses, bed frames, and upholstered furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous (blood-feeding); primarily feeds on human blood, but may feed on other warm-blooded animals if humans are unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to progress to each life stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, sleep deprivation, and psychological distress. While not known to transmit diseases to humans, they are a significant pest that requires professional infestation management. They provide no ecosystem benefits to human habitats.