Bedbugs are in the insect family Cimicidae and include three species
that attack people. Of these, the most important is Cimex lectularius,
which may also bite bats, birds, and rodents.
Bedbugs are not usually considered to be disease carriers. They do suck
blood from their host with piercing mouthparts that contain two
stylets: one stylet has a groove that carries saliva into the wound,
while the other has a groove through which body fluids from the host
are imbibed. Saliva that is injected during the feeding can produce
large swellings on the skin that itch and may become irritated and
infected when scratched. In addition, bed bugs have stink glands that
leave odors; they also leave fecal spots on bed sheets and around their
hiding places.
