Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Hemiptera (true bugs), Cimicidae (bed bug family)
Size
Adults typically 4-5 mm (about 3/16 inch) long; nymphs are smaller.
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Primarily human dwellings, especially bedrooms; they hide in cracks and crevices in mattresses, bed frames, furniture, walls, and flooring.

Diet & Feeding

Exclusively feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans. They are nocturnal feeders.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal, hiding during the day and emerging at night to feed. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat. They can live for several months without a blood meal. Females lay 1-5 eggs per day, gluing them to surfaces.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include itchy red welts from bites, allergic reactions in some individuals, secondary skin infections from scratching, and psychological distress (anxiety, insomnia). They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known benefits.