Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera, Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Found indoors in cracks and crevices of mattresses, box springs, headboards, and furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous parasite feeding exclusively on blood from warm-blooded hosts.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and highly secretive, emerging primarily at night to feed and retreating into dark harbourages during the day.
Risks & Benefits
Bites cause itchy, red welts and potential secondary infections from scratching. They provide no ecological benefit indoors and are a persistent household pest.