Researchers discover why bed bugs survive insecticides
It’s a nightmare the world could do without. Bed bugs do a lot more than produce nasty bites, they’ll also cost you a fair amount of pennies and sleepless nights.
A new study conducted by the University of Sydney is about to improve our understanding of the insects, and hopefully help us eradicate the pesky buggers once and for all.
PhD candidate, David Lilly, has discovered that thick-skinned bed bugs are more resistant to commonly used bug sprays. By comparing their exoskeleton, David found that the thicker the skin, the more likely the bed bugs were to survive exposure to pesticides. This could in fact be a form of evolution.
“The new findings could explain why failures in the control of bed bug infestations are so common. They may also unlock new pathways to developing more effective insecticides for bed bug control,” Mr Lilly said.
He explains that the way forward now is to better understand the biological mechanisms bed bugs use to beat insecticides, so we can spot a chink in their armour and develop new strategies.
Until then sleep tight — and don’t let the bed bugs bite.
Related links:
5 herbal teas to relax aches and pains
Is coconut water really good for you?
Easy symptoms of arthritis with these 3 nutrients