Community identification
Bed Bug
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera: Cimicidae
- Size
- 4 to 5 mm (approx. the size of an apple seed)
Natural Habitat
Human dwellings, specifically in cracks, crevices, mattress seams, and upholstered furniture
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophage (feeds exclusively on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded animals)
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal parasites that hide during the day and emerge at night to feed. They undergo incomplete metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy skin welts, allergic reactions, insomnia, and psychological distress. While they do not transmit disease, infestations are difficult to eradicate and can spread rapidly through travel and shared housing.