Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
Size
4 to 5 mm (approx. the size of an apple seed)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

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.