Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm in length (adults)
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically cracks and crevices in beds, furniture, and walls
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and elusive; they hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult)
Risks & Benefits
Significant risk as a domestic pest causing skin rashes, psychological distress, and allergic reactions; they are not known to transmit diseases but are difficult to eradicate