Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 7 mm (approximately the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Found globally in human dwellings, typically hiding in cracks, crevices, mattresses, and furniture near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive. They are attracted by CO2 and body heat, emerging at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis with five nymphal stages.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin rashes, allergic reactions, and psychological distress. While they carry pathogens, they are not known to transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits in human environments.