Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (about the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Found primarily in human dwellings, hidden in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and bed frames.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they emerge at night to feed and undergo incomplete metamorphosis through five nymphal stages.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy bites, allergic reactions, and psychological distress. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but are considered a significant public health pest.