Community identification
Bed bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera, Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (about 3/16 inch) long as adults; nymphs are smaller and lighter in color.
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, particularly in and around beds, mattresses, headboards, and cracks or crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; feeds exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal creatures that emerge at night to feed on sleeping hosts. They are attracted by body heat and carbon dioxide, undergoing complete metamorphosis through five nymphal stages before reaching adulthood.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy red bites, potential skin infections from scratching, allergic reactions, sleep deprivation, and severe psychological distress. They do not efficiently transmit infectious diseases to humans, nor do they offer ecological benefits in human environments.