
Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Order: Hemiptera, Family: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 mm to 7 mm (approx. size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically inhabiting cracks and crevices, mattress seams, bed frames, and upholstered furniture.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophagous (blood-eaters), primarily feeding on human blood, though they may feed on other mammals or birds.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal; they emerge from hiding at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and require a blood meal to progress through each growth stage.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions to bites, skin infections from scratching, and significant psychological distress/insomnia. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to humans.