Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (adults); smaller for nymphs
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in cracks, crevices, mattresses, bed frames, and furniture where humans sleep.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagy; 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 undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to molt into each successive life stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy, red welts from bites, potential allergic reactions, and significant psychological distress or insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known benefits to humans or the indoor ecosystem.