Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera / Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (roughly the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically cracks and crevices in mattresses, headboards, bed frames, and upholstered furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They go through a simple metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to progress to each life stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy bites, allergic reactions, secondary skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress/anxiety. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but are considered a major public health pest. There are no known benefits.