Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Hemiptera, Cimicidae
Size
4-5 mm (unfed adult)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Dwellings, especially bedrooms, mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and cracks/crevices near sleeping areas. They are highly associated with human activity.

Diet & Feeding

Exclusively feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal feeders, hiding during the day and emerging at night to feed. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat. They are highly resilient and can survive for several months without feeding. They reproduce rapidly.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include itchy bites, skin irritation, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and psychological distress. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known benefits associated with bed bugs to humans or the ecosystem.