Fauna
Insect

Common Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Also known as Bed Bug, Wall Louse, Mahogany Flat, Crimson Rambler

Common bed bugs are small, wingless insects that hide in dark cracks, mattress seams, and floorboards during the day, emerging at night to feed exclusively on blood. They survive for months without feeding and multiply rapidly within human habitations. Their oval, reddish brown bodies swell and darken after feeding, leaving behind characteristic dark fecal spots and discarded skins.

NocturnalParasiteWingless
Common Bed Bug reference
(c) Gilles San Martin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyHuman blood, Mammalian blood
Predators
  • Masked Hunter
  • Pharaoh Ant
  • Pseudoscorpion
ThreatsInsecticides, professional heat treatments, strict hygiene measures
HabitatsHuman dwellings, mattress seams, bed frames, furniture, hotel rooms
Life span6–12 months
Classification
  1. OrderHemiptera
  2. FamilyCimicidae
  3. GenusCimex
  4. SpeciesCimex lectularius
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Bites cause itchy welts and irritation; inspect mattress seams and furniture when traveling.
Why it is dangerous
Salivary enzymes injected during feeding trigger itchy allergic reactions and localized skin inflammation that can lead to secondary infections.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for tiny reddish brown, apple-seed-shaped insects or small dark fecal spots clustered along mattress piping and frame joints.
What to do
Avoid crushed contact with bare skin, and isolate potentially infested luggage in a sealed container immediately.
Responsible observation
  • Inspect Lodgings: Examine mattress seams, headboards, and upholstered furniture for dark spots or live insects when traveling.
  • Apply High Heat: Wash and dry exposed clothing on high heat settings to eliminate any lingering insects or eggs.
  • Isolate Infested Items: Seal affected belongings in thick plastic bags to prevent spread prior to pest treatment.
Related species
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