
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
Primarily found in human dwellings, hidden in cracks, crevices, mattresses, and bed frames.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate blood-feeders, primarily targeting humans but will feed on other warm-blooded animals.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Significant nuisance pest. Risks include itchy welts, allergic reactions, psychological distress, and potential secondary skin infections from scratching; they are not known to transmit diseases.