
Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (approx. the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Indoor environments, primarily residing in crevices of mattresses, bed frames, headboards, and upholstered furniture in close proximity to human sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
They are nocturnal, emerging at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for several months without a meal. They do not fly or jump but crawl quickly.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. While they are not known to transmit diseases to humans, infestations are difficult and costly to eradicate. They offer no beneficial ecosystem services in human dwellings.