Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 millimeters (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in cracks and crevices, bed frames, mattresses, and furniture near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagy; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive. They are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide. After feeding, which takes 3-10 minutes, they retreat to hiding spots. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
They do not known to transmit diseases, but their bites can cause allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress/insomnia. They are considered a significant urban pest with no known ecosystem benefits in human environments.