Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera / Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (about the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, primarily in mattresses, bed frames, and furniture crevices.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages, feeding exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals, primarily humans.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal, hiding during the day and emerging at night to feed. They are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy allergic reactions, skin rashes, and psychological distress. While not known to transmit diseases to humans, infestations are difficult and costly to eradicate.