Click Free Pest Control Quote
to fill in a form to obtain a free pest control quote today.
Anne Schindler, WTLV 11:22 PM. EST February 15, 2017
Closeup macro of a bedbug, 1950. (Photo by Andreas Feininger/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images) (Photo: Andreas Feininger)
When the very mention of your work causes people to recoil in horror, you develop coping mechanisms.
Sometimes I lie, concedes Brittany Campbell, a doctoral student of entomology at the University of Florida. Depending on the day, whether I feel like talking about it, I might be a manager at Target.
In reality, her job is bedbug research, a topic some cant discuss without freaking out.
People dont even want to talk to me, she says. I scare them.
Campbells work is an essential part of fighting the countrys decade-long bedbug resurgence. Once nearly eradicated in the U.S., the bloodsucking insects returned in force in the late 1990s. The wave of frenzied media coverage that followed has subsided, but not the bedbug problem. If anything, says Dr. Philip Koehler, who built the universitys urban entomology lab, its worse.
Were seeing a lot more infestations that what we did a few years ago.
Then, in November, the lab revealed a new species the tropical bedbug. Discovered in a home in South Florida, the insect hadnt been seen in the U.S. in more than 70 years.
Campbell was personally delighted. I was certainly excited, she says of the discovery. As a scientist I was jumping up and down ready to tell the world.
But in the battle of against bedbugs, she acknowledges, its not necessarily good news. You dont know what impact its going to have, you dont know how quickly its going to reproduce, says Campbell of the new species. You dont know if its going to respond as well [to pesticides].
With a single female capable of laying 500 eggs, the bedbug is a prolific breeder. Its also uniquely difficult to get rid of, since its preferred nest is a place most people like to spend a peaceful 8 hours not one they want doused with pesticides.
But getting rid of the intractable bug can push people to do irrational things, says Koehler. They dont want to go home sleep in their bed and have bugs crawling on them, and sucking their blood. Some people have died after spraying their mattresses with insecticide, accidentally torched their homes using heat treatments, even had air foggers explode.
Usually the bugs are still crawling after the place is blown apart, he says.
The only reliable way to get rid of bedbugs is to hire a professional exterminator, Koehler says. But the great irony is that -- in the lab, bedbugs are kind of feeble.
They are hard to kill in peoples homes, says Campbell. But for whatever reason, we have a hard time keeping alive in the lab.
Caring for the bugs means cleaning out colonies when their Petri dish gets crowded, keeping them in a climate-controlled room, feeding them artificially on warm rabbit blood, or live chickens.
And, when a colony is in trouble, it might mean giving of yourself. Literally.
Research scientist Roberto Pereira helped nurture the labs fledgling tropical bedbug colony by allowing them to suck his own blood.
Because we have very few insects, and we were trying to get this colony started, I took the liberty of feeding these bedbugs on myself, he says.
He it that sounds weird. Its not the type of conversation to bring up on the first date or anything. Most of us dont like to admit we have done that, because most people think of [entomologists] as crazy anyway.
Pereira says its not all that uncommon. Harold Harlan, a retired military medical entomologist, raised thousands of bedbugs in his basement, feeding them on his own blood. And, as a recent Here Be Monsters podcast noted, pest control companies that use dogs to find bedbugs have to maintain a home colony for training purposes and sometimes find it easier to feed the bugs off of themselves.
Pereira says its not as bad as it sounds. The bugs are kept in Petri dishes covered with a penetrable plastic, so the bugs cant escape. And for many people, the bite is imperceptible -- less annoying than a mosquito.
UF Graduate assistant Heather Erskine demonstrates, placing a single bug on her hand and allowing it to feed. I honestly dont feel it, she notes. If you blindfolded me and said you put a bedbug on me, I wouldnt be able to tell you where.
For Campbell, bedbug bites are more painful, creating visible welts. Its almost like getting pricked by a needle, or getting a shot or something, she says. I can really feel their mouth parts.
For people battling infestations, discomfort is just part of it. Treatment can be expensive about $1,000 or more. And the bugs can take a mental toll, causing anxiety, depression, even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I get phone calls from people telling me about their anxieties, says Campbell. I am unfortunately an entomologist; I dont deal with psychology. So I just try to calm them down, so they dont do anything irrational. I tell them to seek professional help.
Such problems are part of the reason Koehler says pest control revenues in Florida now dwarf the citrus industry. Theyre also the reason a harmless bedtime wish has resurfaced as a more sinister warning.
Theyre back. They should be saying that: Dont let the bedbugs bite.
For help getting rid of bedbugs, check out these sites:
EPA - Getting rid of bed bugs
University of Florida - Bed bugs
University of Florida - Bed bug resources
( 2017 WTLV)
See the rest here:
Letting bedbugs bite -- because science - Firstcoastnews.com
- Bed Bug dog sniffing out the bed bugs - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- Exterminating Bed Bugs with Heat Treatment in St. Paul, MN call to get 10% off - August 7th, 2011 [August 7th, 2011]
- Kill Bed Bugs with HeatTreatment in St. Paul, MN - September 9th, 2011 [September 9th, 2011]
- Pest Control in Pinellas County FL Hunt Exterminating Co. Inc. - Video - October 27th, 2011 [October 27th, 2011]
- Advanced Pest Control Florida - On The News- Using ThermaPure Heat to Kill Bed Bugs -WPBF-TV.mp4 - Video - November 12th, 2011 [November 12th, 2011]
- K-9 Training Chicago - The Office - Video - November 22nd, 2011 [November 22nd, 2011]
- A Closer Look at the Verifi™ Bed Bug Detector - Video - November 27th, 2011 [November 27th, 2011]
- Bed Bugs 101 - Video - December 11th, 2011 [December 11th, 2011]
- K-9 Training Chicago - Bozo.mp4 - Video - December 12th, 2011 [December 12th, 2011]
- Dr. Philip Koehler talks about the Verifi™ Bed Bug Detector - Video - December 18th, 2011 [December 18th, 2011]
- Trace at Work Detecting Bed Bugs (Top Dog Scent Detection) - Video - December 18th, 2011 [December 18th, 2011]
- Bed bugs close Orlando Salvation Army shelter - January 29th, 2012 [January 29th, 2012]
- Bed bugs close Salvation Army homeless shelter - January 29th, 2012 [January 29th, 2012]
- Good day, bad day: January 26, 2012 - January 29th, 2012 [January 29th, 2012]
- GOP leads the way in apoplexy - January 29th, 2012 [January 29th, 2012]
- Palm Club Apartments, Lake Worth, Florida, The WORST! Unhealthy and Unsafe! - Video - January 29th, 2012 [January 29th, 2012]
- La Niña and Flu Outbreaks; Men Overspend When Women Are Scarce - January 29th, 2012 [January 29th, 2012]
- Bed bug infestation closes Salvation Army shelter - January 29th, 2012 [January 29th, 2012]
- Saratoga Springs Housing Authority put under microscope at City Council, resident meetings - February 1st, 2012 [February 1st, 2012]
- Saratoga Springs Housing Authority put under microscope at City Council, resident meetings (With videos) - February 2nd, 2012 [February 2nd, 2012]
- P Diddy,Jay Z,Beyonce And Drake-Please Buy Crazy Rockin Ronny Some Bed Bug Spray - Video - February 6th, 2012 [February 6th, 2012]
- The Drive Home: Episode 35: October 7, 2011 6:06 PM - Video - February 6th, 2012 [February 6th, 2012]
- Bank robbery couple sentenced to prison - February 15th, 2012 [February 15th, 2012]
- After bedbugs suspected in 166 rooms, accuracy of dogs is questioned - February 27th, 2012 [February 27th, 2012]
- Bedbugs confirmed in 166 rooms; treatments continue regardless of 'false-positives' - February 27th, 2012 [February 27th, 2012]
- Bedbugs confirmed in 166 rooms; treatments continue even in cases of false positives - February 27th, 2012 [February 27th, 2012]
- New Hanover Courthouse Denies Bed Bug Infestation, Still BedBugControl911.com Suggests the Purchase of Green Bed Bug ... - March 11th, 2012 [March 11th, 2012]
- Connecticut Lawmakers' Bill Mandates Expensive Bed Bug Treatment, BedBugControl911.com Offers Less Costly Solution - March 13th, 2012 [March 13th, 2012]
- Warm winter leads to more bugs in SWFL homes - March 15th, 2012 [March 15th, 2012]
- Pest Control Company Releases Top 50 Bed Bug Infested US Cities, BedBugControl911.com Offers Residents Green Help - March 23rd, 2012 [March 23rd, 2012]
- Not just drugs or bombs. Newest sniffing target for dogs: bed bugs - April 18th, 2012 [April 18th, 2012]
- EarthSky video schedule on Galavision’s Détras del Saber spring 2012 - April 26th, 2012 [April 26th, 2012]
- Pests appearing due to mild winter - May 1st, 2012 [May 1st, 2012]
- Senior residents complain of bed bug infestation - June 5th, 2012 [June 5th, 2012]
- Senior living residents complain of bed bug infestation - June 5th, 2012 [June 5th, 2012]
- University of Florida Study Examines Potentially Harmful Effects a Bed Bug Infestation Can Have on Humans - October 15th, 2012 [October 15th, 2012]
- Florida Bed Bugs - Are You Bugged By Florida Bed Bugs? Get ... - November 3rd, 2013 [November 3rd, 2013]
- Bed Bugs in Florida | Everything you need to know about bed bugs ... - November 3rd, 2013 [November 3rd, 2013]
- bed bug - Cimex lectularius Linnaeus - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA ... - November 3rd, 2013 [November 3rd, 2013]
- Bed Bugs Florida - Bed Bug.org - November 3rd, 2013 [November 3rd, 2013]
- EENY140/IN297: Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius Linneaus (Insecta ... - November 3rd, 2013 [November 3rd, 2013]
- Florida Bed Bugs | How Do You Get Rid of Bedbugs in FL? - November 7th, 2013 [November 7th, 2013]
- florida — Got bed bugs? Bedbugger.com - November 7th, 2013 [November 7th, 2013]
- Bedbugs Miami, FL | Bedbug Control Services - November 7th, 2013 [November 7th, 2013]
- Bed Bugs -- School IPM - November 10th, 2013 [November 10th, 2013]
- South Florida Bed Bug Heat Treatment | West Palm Beach Bed Bug ... - December 7th, 2013 [December 7th, 2013]
- Florida Bugs | Florida Exterminators: Bed Bugs-Ants-Spiders - December 11th, 2013 [December 11th, 2013]
- Reports of Bed Bugs in Orlando Hotels - Orlando, Florida ... - December 23rd, 2013 [December 23rd, 2013]
- Broward County Bed Bug Control | Ft. Lauderdale Exterminator ... - January 5th, 2014 [January 5th, 2014]
- Bed Bug Control Boca Raton | Bed Bug Removal Delray Beach - April 21st, 2014 [April 21st, 2014]
- K9 P.I. SCENT DETECTION BED BUG Serving South Florida ... - April 21st, 2014 [April 21st, 2014]
- Researchers create easy, cheap way to trap bed bugs - May 27th, 2014 [May 27th, 2014]
- Bed Bugs Shut Down Pasco County Fire Station, My Cleaning Products Suggests a Bed Bug Spray to Help Others Kill the ... - May 27th, 2014 [May 27th, 2014]
- Family files $1.5M suit over reported bed bug infestation - June 13th, 2014 [June 13th, 2014]
- Bed Bugs In Florida | Bed Bug Identification In Tampa ... - June 28th, 2014 [June 28th, 2014]
- A low-cost trap to get rid of bedbugs - July 5th, 2014 [July 5th, 2014]
- Florida Bed Bug Control - October 14th, 2014 [October 14th, 2014]
- Bed Bugs Jacksonville Florida Termite Treatment and Pest ... - October 30th, 2014 [October 30th, 2014]
- Charlotte Co. movie theater treated for bed bugs - November 14th, 2014 [November 14th, 2014]
- Tampa area Exterminators see uptick in Bed Bugs | Angies List - November 26th, 2014 [November 26th, 2014]
- Bed Bug Exterminating | RIP Environmental Services of ... - November 27th, 2014 [November 27th, 2014]
- Veterans living with bed bugs in building not zoned for residential use - December 16th, 2014 [December 16th, 2014]
- Gary Geiger: Florida Bed Bug Buster| FMC Pest Wire - December 24th, 2014 [December 24th, 2014]
- Bed Bugs Conference on HUD Requirements By AudioSolutionz Gets a Tremendous Response - January 7th, 2015 [January 7th, 2015]
- Bed Bug Report for Rosen Center Hotel, Orlando, FL - February 12th, 2015 [February 12th, 2015]
- Bed Bug Control | Bed Bug Inspection - Florida Pest Control - August 7th, 2015 [August 7th, 2015]
- Orlando and Florida Bed Bug Inspection - August 9th, 2015 [August 9th, 2015]
- Bed Bug Report for Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, FL - August 14th, 2015 [August 14th, 2015]
- Bed Bugs - Pest Control Tampa Bay Florida Area - September 4th, 2015 [September 4th, 2015]
- Charlotte Co. movie theater treated for bed bugs - NBC-2 ... - October 8th, 2015 [October 8th, 2015]
- Bed Bugs - UF/IFAS Extension: Solutions for Your Life - December 20th, 2015 [December 20th, 2015]
- Fleas, Ticks, Bed Bugs Exterminator Pest Control Company ... - December 20th, 2015 [December 20th, 2015]
- Effective Home Remedies for Bed Bugs | FULL GUIDE - December 11th, 2016 [December 11th, 2016]
- Rare bed bug re-emerges in Florida after 60 years - February 2nd, 2017 [February 2nd, 2017]
- Tropical Bed Bugs Returning to the United States SAT Press ... - Satellite PR News (press release) - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- Bed bugs are a problem in these Florida cities - February 25th, 2017 [February 25th, 2017]
- Why Not Just Tent Fumigate For Bed Bugs And Save The Mess ... - April 8th, 2017 [April 8th, 2017]
- Allergy Technologies Hits the Road for 'Bed Bug Awareness Week' - PCT Magazine - June 5th, 2017 [June 5th, 2017]
- This Is How to Actually Spot a Bed Bug - SELF - June 20th, 2017 [June 20th, 2017]
- Bed bugs disappeared for 40 years, now they're back with a vengeance. Here's what to know - USA TODAY - June 22nd, 2017 [June 22nd, 2017]
Click Free Exterminator Quote
to fill in a form to obtain a free exterminator quote today.