
Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm long (about the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Primarily found in human dwellings, hidden in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and bed frames.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate blood-feeders, primarily targeting humans during the night.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal insects that emerge from hiding spots at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress; they are not known to transmit diseases but are a major nuisance pest.