Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (adults), roughly the size of an apple seed.
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in cracks, crevices, mattresses, bed frames, and furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Exclusively blood, primarily from humans but also from other warm-blooded animals.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, sleep deprivation, and psychological distress. They do not typically transmit diseases to humans but are considered a significant pest.