Community identification
Common Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera / Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (roughly the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Typically found in human dwellings, nesting in mattress seams, bed frames, cracks, and crevices near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive. They are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat. After feeding, they retreat to dark hiding spots to digest and reproduce; life cycle includes egg, nymph (5 stages), and adult.
Risks & Benefits
No known disease transmission to humans, but bites cause itching, skin rashes, and psychological distress. They can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. They have no ecological benefits in human environments.