Tests may soon be able to identify which infestation a bed bug has come from, a recent report has revealed.
According to the BBC'S Nature News (July 11th), researchers at Sheffield University are working on genetic techniques that will allow them to examine a bed bug's DNA and pinpoint its colony, meaning that if you think you've brought bed bugs home to your storage bed from a hotel, you could soon know for sure who is to blame!
A "global surge" in the prevalence of bed bugs was noted shortly after the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, and their numbers keep increasing. According to biologist Toby Fountain, the problem causes extensive issues for some: "People in infested properties get extremely distressed," he said. The BBC went on to say that a condition exists, called delusory parasitosis, in which the stress of worrying about bed bugs can actually cause a person to break out in a bite-like rash.
The scientist discussed what this could mean for those charged with controlling the critters. "[I]f every pest controller keeps a [sample and a] record of any infestation, we'll eventually be able find out whether any repeat infestations came from the same place, and whether that pest controller has done his job properly," he said.
This bed bug tracking research is in the early stages at present.
