
Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm long as adults; nymphs are smaller and translucent depending on life stage.
Natural Habitat
Found primarily in human dwellings, hidden in mattresses, bed frames, electrical outlets, and crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal, elusive, and photophobic; they emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (hemimetabolous), passing through five nymphal stages that each require a blood meal to molt.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia. While they do not transmit diseases, they are considered significant public health pests that are difficult and expensive to eradicate.