From Alzheimer’s to Zebrafish: Eclectic Science and Regulatory Stories 168
have been implicated in the triggering of asthmatic reactions.24 A wide range of empiri-
cal treatments, including antibiotics, antihistamines, topical and oral corticosteroids and
epinephrine, have been used for bite reactions with varying results.
No evidence-based interventions to eradicate bed bugs or prevent bites have been
identified.25
Final Thoughts
One way to prevent bed bug bites is to cover up. Because bed bugs do not tend to burrow
under clothing, it may be possible to avoid bites by wearing pajamas that cover as much
skin as possible.
It is also wise to place luggage on tables and dressers instead of on the floor. To be
completely safe, it is wise to check mattress seams in hotels for bed bug excrement.
If your home is infested, your best bet is to hire a professional exterminator. They use
portable devices to produce steam, heat or freezing temperature to kill the parasites.26
There may, however, be a unique method to help slow the massive increase in bed
bug infestations. Swedish researchers have now identified and quantified a type of smell
that bed bugs produce known as alarm pheromones. This odor repels other bed bugs.
Anti-aphrodisiac chemical signaling with pheromones could be used to interfere with
sexual reproduction and thus enhance today’s treatment methods.27
References
1. Goddard J, deShazo R. “Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius) and clinical consequences of their bites.” JAMA.
2009 301(13):1358-66.
2. Enserink M. “Sex and travel, bedbug style.” Science Now. 7 December 2011.
3. Op cit 1.
4. Ibid.
5. Reinhardt K, Siva-Jothy MT. “Biology of the bed bugs (Cimicidae).” Annual Review of Entomology. 2007
52:351-74.
6. Paul J, Bates J. “Is infestation with the common bedbug increasing?” BMJ. 2000 330:1141.
7. Op cit 5.
8. Ibid.
9. Science Daily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111206115049.htm. Accessed 14 December
2011.
10. Bai X, et al: “Transcriptomics of the bed bug (Cimex lectularius).” PLos ONE. 2011 6 (1):1-10.
11. Op cit 5.
12. Stutt AD, Siva-Jothy MT. Traumatic insemination and sexual conflict in the bed bug. Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences. 2001 98:5683-7.
13. Haynes KF, et al. “Bed bug deterrence.” BMC Biology. 2010 8:117-20.
14. Pfiester M, et al. “Sexual conflict to the extreme: traumatic insemination in bed bugs.” American Entomology.
2009 55:244-49.
15. Op cit 5.
16. Hotz RL. “Why bedbugs won’t die.” The Wall Street Journal. 20 January 2011.
17. Op cit 10.
18. Ibid.
19. Science Daily. http://sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090110090254.htm. Accessed 14 December 2011.
20. Op cit 16.
21. Op cit 9.
22. Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bedbugs/DS00663/METHOD=print. Accessed 13
December 2011.
23. Stucki A, Ludwig R. “Bedbug bites.” NEJM. 2008 359:10.
24. Doggett SL, Russell R.: “Bed bugs: what the GP needs to know.” Australian Family Physician. 2009 38(11):880-4.
25. Op cit 1.
26. Op cit 19.
27. Science Daily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110331114901.htm. Accessed 14 December 2011.
Published on regulatoryfocus.org, January 2012. Copyright © 2012 Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society.
have been implicated in the triggering of asthmatic reactions.24 A wide range of empiri-
cal treatments, including antibiotics, antihistamines, topical and oral corticosteroids and
epinephrine, have been used for bite reactions with varying results.
No evidence-based interventions to eradicate bed bugs or prevent bites have been
identified.25
Final Thoughts
One way to prevent bed bug bites is to cover up. Because bed bugs do not tend to burrow
under clothing, it may be possible to avoid bites by wearing pajamas that cover as much
skin as possible.
It is also wise to place luggage on tables and dressers instead of on the floor. To be
completely safe, it is wise to check mattress seams in hotels for bed bug excrement.
If your home is infested, your best bet is to hire a professional exterminator. They use
portable devices to produce steam, heat or freezing temperature to kill the parasites.26
There may, however, be a unique method to help slow the massive increase in bed
bug infestations. Swedish researchers have now identified and quantified a type of smell
that bed bugs produce known as alarm pheromones. This odor repels other bed bugs.
Anti-aphrodisiac chemical signaling with pheromones could be used to interfere with
sexual reproduction and thus enhance today’s treatment methods.27
References
1. Goddard J, deShazo R. “Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius) and clinical consequences of their bites.” JAMA.
2009 301(13):1358-66.
2. Enserink M. “Sex and travel, bedbug style.” Science Now. 7 December 2011.
3. Op cit 1.
4. Ibid.
5. Reinhardt K, Siva-Jothy MT. “Biology of the bed bugs (Cimicidae).” Annual Review of Entomology. 2007
52:351-74.
6. Paul J, Bates J. “Is infestation with the common bedbug increasing?” BMJ. 2000 330:1141.
7. Op cit 5.
8. Ibid.
9. Science Daily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111206115049.htm. Accessed 14 December
2011.
10. Bai X, et al: “Transcriptomics of the bed bug (Cimex lectularius).” PLos ONE. 2011 6 (1):1-10.
11. Op cit 5.
12. Stutt AD, Siva-Jothy MT. Traumatic insemination and sexual conflict in the bed bug. Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences. 2001 98:5683-7.
13. Haynes KF, et al. “Bed bug deterrence.” BMC Biology. 2010 8:117-20.
14. Pfiester M, et al. “Sexual conflict to the extreme: traumatic insemination in bed bugs.” American Entomology.
2009 55:244-49.
15. Op cit 5.
16. Hotz RL. “Why bedbugs won’t die.” The Wall Street Journal. 20 January 2011.
17. Op cit 10.
18. Ibid.
19. Science Daily. http://sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090110090254.htm. Accessed 14 December 2011.
20. Op cit 16.
21. Op cit 9.
22. Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bedbugs/DS00663/METHOD=print. Accessed 13
December 2011.
23. Stucki A, Ludwig R. “Bedbug bites.” NEJM. 2008 359:10.
24. Doggett SL, Russell R.: “Bed bugs: what the GP needs to know.” Australian Family Physician. 2009 38(11):880-4.
25. Op cit 1.
26. Op cit 19.
27. Science Daily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110331114901.htm. Accessed 14 December 2011.
Published on regulatoryfocus.org, January 2012. Copyright © 2012 Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society.