Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (about the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in and around sleeping areas, bed frames, mattresses, and furniture crevices.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
They are nocturnal, hiding during the day and emerging at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal stages, each requiring a blood meal to molt.
Risks & Benefits
They are major household pests that cause itchy welts and psychological distress. While not known to transmit diseases, they can cause allergic reactions and secondary skin infections from scratching.