
Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in cracks, crevices, mattresses, and bed frames near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, feeding almost exclusively on human blood, though they may 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) and require blood meals to transition between stages.
Risks & Benefits
While they do not transmit diseases, their bites cause itching, allergic reactions, and significant psychological distress. They are considered a major urban pest with no ecological benefits to human environments.