Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 1 to 7 millimeters (about the size of an apple seed when adult).
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in cracks, crevices, mattresses, and bed frames near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous (blood-feeders), primarily feeding on human blood during the night.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and are attracted to the CO2 and body heat of hosts. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal stages.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no known ecological benefits in human environments.