Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- Adults are approximately 4 to 5 mm (about the size of an apple seed).
Natural Habitat
Commonly found in human dwellings, specifically in cracks, crevices, mattresses, bed frames, and upholstered furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, feeding 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 incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for months without feeding.
Risks & Benefits
They do not transmit diseases but their bites can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress. They are significant urban pests with no ecological benefits in human environments.