Common Bed Bug

Common Bed Bug

Cimex lectularius

Daily sighting probability <5% · Rare
at San Francisco

In 3 days ~10%

5 Verified sightings at San Francisco
December 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 San Francisco?

Rare

Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Common Bed Bug sighting in San Francisco on a given day, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 679th most-seen of the 737 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, if each day is a fresh chance.

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

Any time of year

In every month with enough records, under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Common Bed Bug in San Francisco on a given day, so our monthly data shows no clear season.

Is San Francisco the best place to see a Common Bed Bug?

Among the best

Of the 12 cities where we can rate Common Bed Bug sightings, San Francisco ranks 12th 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 San Francisco?

Same order: Hemiptera

The closest relatives of the Common Bed Bug that you can see in San Francisco (order Hemiptera, True Bugs, Hoppers, Aphids, and allies) are Large Milkweed Bug (about 10%), Oleander Aphid (about 10%) and Small Milkweed Bug (about 10%), 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 San Francisco (5 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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