Common bed bug, Cimex lectularius
‘Bed bug’ is a general term referring to any species in the Cimicidae family, 74 of which are known to feed on the blood of humans. Cimex lectularius is the most frequently found bed bug and like other species in this group, is mainly active at night. The wingless adult bed bugs are light brown with a flattened, oval-shaped body and reach 5mm in length. Bed bugs do not transmit any known disease but bites can cause irritation, pain and swelling.
