Bug Identifier
Bed Bug
Community identification

Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Order & Family
Order Hemiptera, Family Cimicidae
Size
5 to 7 mm (approximately the size of an apple seed)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Human dwellings, particularly in mattresses, bed frames, headboards, and cracks or crevices near sleeping areas.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate blood-feeders, primarily consuming human blood but will also bite other warm-blooded animals.

Behavior Patterns

Mainly nocturnal; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can survive for months without a meal.

Risks & Benefits

Primary risks include itchy welts, allergic reactions, and psychological distress/insomnia; they are not known to transmit diseases to humans. They offer no ecological benefits in domestic environments.