Common Bed Bug

Common Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
at London

In 3 days ~10% in a week ~20%

7 Verified sightings at London
October Best month

About the Common Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius, the common bedbug, is a species of Cimicidae. An ectoparasite, its primary hosts are humans. It is one of the world's major "nuisance pests". Although bedbugs can be infected with at least 28 human pathogens, no studies have found that the insects are capable of transmitting any of these to humans. They have been found with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE), but the significance of this is still unknown.

Investigations into potential transmission of HIV, MRSA, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis E have not shown that bedbugs can spread these diseases. However, there is some evidence that arboviruses may be transmissible.

Bedbug bites (cimicosis) may lead to a range of skin manifestations from no visible effects to prominent blisters. Effects include skin rashes, psychological effects and allergic symptoms. Cimex lectularius is found all over the world in almost every area that has been settled by humans.

In the past, bedbugs were particularly an affliction of the poor and occurred in mass shelters. However, in the early part of the modern resurgence it was... Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability

More parks will be added in future updates.

Cities Where Found

# City Country Daily sighting probability
1 Lyon 🇫🇷 France
<5%
2 Kyiv 🇺🇦 Ukraine
<5%
3 Paris 🇫🇷 France
<5%
4 Beijing 🇨🇳 China
<5%
5 Mexico City 🇲🇽 México
<5%
6 London 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
<5%
7 Portland 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
8 Toronto 🇨🇦 Canada
<5%
9 Chicago 🇺🇸 United States
<5%
10 New York City 🇺🇸 United States
<5%

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing a Common Bed Bug in London?

Rare

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Common Bed Bug sighting in London on a given day, based on 7 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 1219th most-seen of the 1504 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 20%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see a Common Bed Bug in London?

October

In that month about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Common Bed Bug in London on a given day, against under 5% in November to September, the lowest months.

Is London the best place to see a Common Bed Bug?

Among the best

Of the 12 cities where we can rate Common Bed Bug sightings, London ranks 6th at under 5%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Lyon (France, under 5%), Kyiv (Ukraine, under 5%) and Paris (France, under 5%).

Which relatives of the Common Bed Bug live in London?

Same order: Hemiptera

The closest relatives of the Common Bed Bug that you can see in London (order Hemiptera, True Bugs, Hoppers, Aphids, and allies) are Green Shield Bug (about 30%), Trivial Plant Bug (about 30%) and Dock Bug (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.

Where does the Common Bed Bug sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the Common Bed Bug is recorded against all the insects logged in London (7 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

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