Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm in length (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Found globally, primarily in human dwellings within cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and upholstered furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to molt.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy bites, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia; however, they are not known to transmit diseases to humans.