Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (roughly the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Typically found in human dwellings, hidden in cracks, crevices, mattresses, and bed frames near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, meaning they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal insects that emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for months without a blood meal.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin rashes, psychological distress, and potential allergic reactions; they are not known to transmit diseases but are a significant pest nuisance.