Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm in length for adults; smaller for nymphs.
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in bed frames, mattresses, cracks, and crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous; 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 are attracted to CO2 and body heat. After feeding, they return to hiding to digest and mate.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include red, itchy welts from bites, allergic reactions, and significant psychological distress or insomnia. While they do not transmit diseases, they are difficult and expensive to eradicate. There are no ecological benefits in human environments.