Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm long (about the size of an apple seed).
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically cracks and crevices in mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and baseboards.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous (blood-eaters), primarily feeding on human blood.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis, with five nymphal stages that each require a blood meal to molt.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy, red welts from bites, allergic reactions, and significant psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits in a domestic human setting.