Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
Size
Typically 4 to 5 millimeters long (about the size of an apple seed).
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found globally, primarily in human dwellings; they reside in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, and cracks or crevices near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.

Behavior Patterns

Mainly nocturnal; they emerge from hiding at night to feed. They move by crawling and do not fly or jump. The life cycle involves five nymphal stages, each requiring a blood meal to molt.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, sleep deprivation, and psychological distress. While they do not transmit diseases, they are significant household pests. They offer no known benefits to human ecosystems.