Community identification
Bed bug nymph
Cimex lectularius
- Order & Family
- Hemiptera; Cimicidae
- Size
- About 1–4 mm for nymphs; adults are roughly 4–7 mm.
Natural Habitat
Hides in mattress seams, bed frames, furniture, and other cracks near sleeping areas.
Diet & Feeding
Feeds on blood, usually from humans, and typically feeds at night.
Behavior Patterns
Flat, oval-bodied and wingless; nymphs molt through five stages, taking a blood meal between molts. The image is consistent with a bed bug nymph, though a photo alone cannot confirm the species.
Risks & Benefits
Bites can cause itchy skin reactions and infestations are difficult to eliminate; bed bugs are not known to transmit human diseases. They provide no meaningful household benefit.