Bed bugs are brownish flat-bodied tiny parasitic insects that feed by sucking blood from humans or animals.
Table of Contents
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Clade: Euarthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Family: Cimicidae
Genus: Cimex
The name bed bug comes from the ideal habitat of Cimex lectularius(latin): warm rooms and especially near or inside beds and bedding or other sleep areas.
Bed bugs are mainly active at night, but are not exclusively nocturnal.
Some people may to bed bugs as bloodsuckers or sucking insects
Bed bugs in other languages
In spanish, bed bugs are called chinches
In French they are called punaise de lit
In Italian they are called cimice
In Hindi they are called khatamal written as खटमल
In Chinese they known as Chòuchóng written as 臭虫
Types of Bed Bugs
The bed bugs are of the taxonomic family, Cicimid and are of four main species.
These include
- Cimex Lectularius (household bed bug)
- Cimex Hemipterus (Tropical Bed Bug)
- Bat bugs (Leptocimex Boueti/Cimex Adjunctus)
- Cimex pipistreli
The bed bugs mentioned are predominant in different locations or regions in the world with C. pipistrelli in Europe, C. pilosellus in Western United States and C. adjunctus in Eastern United States. C. lecturalis is the common bed bug found all over the world.
Physical Appearance
As mentioned earlier they’re small and have a flat body. They are brownish in color but this vary depending on various factors. Below are links to details of bed bug appearance & pictures
- Size-How Big are they?
- What color are bed bugs?
- How many legs do bed bugs have?+ Anatomy
- What does bed bug poop/Feces/Droppings look like?
- Bed Bug Shells, Cast Skin & Exoskeleton
- Eggs and images
Remember that there are other bugs that may be mistaken for bed bugs. Here is a discussion of bed bug look-a-likes.
Reproduction & Growth Stages
Bed bugs mate by what is known as traumatic insemination and make offspring.
After mating, the life cycle starts from eggs, nymph then adults
Habits
Though not entirely, bed bugs are active at night. They crawl and therefore cannot fly. They live or hide in warm places including but not limited to mattresses & bedding, clothing, electronics, carpet, couch and even in your car. They are also thought to hide in your hair.
In terms food, as you will learn shortly, they feed on blood.
- Where do Bed Bugs Hide and where to look and how to find them
- Can Bed Bugs Fly-Do they have Wings-How Far can they Travel
- Bed Bug Sniffing Dogs-How they smell, Sense, Roscoe, Breeds & Cost
- What are Bed Bugs? Names in other Languages
- Where do Bed Bugs come from? Causes, how you get them & Start
- How to Kill/Get Rid of Bed Bugs Fast Yourself Naturally for Good
- Bed Bugs in Hair Symptoms, Pictures & Get rid
- Types of Bed Bugs
- Bed Bug Poop/Droppings-How it looks like, Pictures +Identification
- Bed Bug Shells, Cast Skin & Exoskeleton
- Can you See Bed Bugs with the Naked eye? Pictures, Size, Color & Anatomy
- Dust Mite vs Bed Bug Bites
- Bed Bug life cycle-Eggs, Baby(Nymph) to Adult Stages & Pictures
- How to Detect Bed Bugs-Detectors, Light & Verifi Reviews
- How to know if Bed Bugs are gone after Treatment & what to do
- Will Bleach Kill Bed Bugs-How does it work?
- Best Bed Bugs Traps- DIY Homemade, Co2, Yeast + Reviews
- How to Deal with Bed Bugs in your Car
- Bed Bugs in Couch-Covers, Signs & How to Get rid
- How to Kill Bed Bugs with Steam: Best Steamers & Guide + Tips
- Does Alcohol Kill Bed Bugs? Rubbing, Isopropyl & Percentage
- How Long do Bed Bug Bites Last, Take to Appear, Go Away & Heal
- Natural Predator of Bed Bugs-What Insects/Bugs eat Bed Bugs?
- Can Bed Bugs Live in TVs & Other Electronics? How to get them out
- Do Bed Bug Bites Itch or Hurt?
- Bed Bug Interceptor-How it works, DIY & Reviews
- What do Bed Bug Bites look like? Pictures & Identification Steps
- What Attracts Bed Bugs & things they Hate /Dislike Most
- Can Bed Bugs make you Sick? How are they Dangerous?
- Can Bed Bugs Fly-Do they have Wings-How Far can they Travel
- Diatomaceous Earth for Bed Bugs-How to Use & Best Reviews
- DIY Bed Bug Heat Treatment: Success Rate,Temperature Chart, Preparation & Reviews
- Does Vinegar Kill Bed Bugs? Can it be Used for Bites?
- How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs on Mattress- Best Covers, Protectors & Encasement Reviews
- Can Bed Bugs live on or Bite Dogs & Cats (Pets)?
- Bugs that look like Bed Bugs-Beetles & Others that Resemble or Mistaken
- Bed Bug Bombs-Do Foggers work? Effectiveness & Reviews
- Bed Bug Repellents -Natural Homemade, Creams, Electronic & Reviews
- How do Bed Bugs Spread? Are they Contagious? How Fast/Easily from Person, Room or House?
- Best Bed Bug Sprays-DIY Homemade, Natural, Brand Reviews
- Flea Bites vs Bed Bug Bites + Differences & Pictures
- How to Prevent Bed Bugs-Bites while Sleeping at Home, School, Hotel & Travelling
- How to get rid of Bed Bugs on Clothes-Can they Live, Bite through or Travel on Laundry
- Fumigation for Bed Bugs-Cost & Preparation
- How to get Bed Bugs out of Carpet with Cleaner & Powder
- How Long do Bed Bugs Live Without Food, Host, Air, in Cold & After Spraying
- Bed Bug Rash on Skin, Pictures, Treatment, Allergy & Symptoms
- Where do Bed Bugs Hide and how to Find them
- Mosquito Bites vs Bed Bug Bites-What’ are the differences
- Identifying Bed Bug Eggs- How they look like, Images & destruction
- How do you know if you have Bed Bugs-Symptoms & Signs
- Bed Bug vs Spider Bites- Differences with Pictures
