Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Inhabits cracks and crevices in human dwellings, particularly in and around beds, mattresses, and furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that emerge at night to feed. They go through five nymphal stages, requiring a blood meal to molt between each stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress. While they do not transmit diseases, infestations are difficult and costly to eradicate. There are no known benefits.