
Community identification
Bed Bug (Nymph)
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 1.5 mm to 5 mm depending on life stage and feeding status.
Natural Habitat
Cracks and crevices near human sleeping areas, including mattresses, bed frames, and upholstered furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal, hiding during the day and emerging at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymphal stages, adult) and require a blood meal to molt.
Risks & Benefits
Significant household pest; bites cause itching, allergic reactions, and psychological distress. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but cause secondary skin infections from scratching.