Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 millimeters (similar to an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Primarily indoor environments where humans reside, particularly bedrooms, mattresses, and furniture
Diet & Feeding
Blood from humans and occasionally other warm-blooded animals for nutritional development
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that hide in cracks and crevices during the day and emerge at night to feed on sleeping hosts
Risks & Benefits
Potentially cause itchy welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress; they are not known to transmit diseases but are significant household pests