Recent studies show that bedbugs around the world have developed a resistance to the chemicals used to control them. Scientists are now studying the molecular biology of these pests to develop more lasting control measures. The new findings from entomologists at Ohio State University show that bedbugs may have boosted their natural defenses by generating higher levels of enzymes that can cleanse them of poisons.

In New York City, bedbugs now are 250 times more resistant to the standard pesticide than bedbugs in Florida, due to changes in a gene controlling the resilience of the nerve cells targeted by the insecticide, researchers at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst recently reported.

"These bugs have several back doors open to escape," said evolutionary entomologist Klaus Reinhardt at the University of Tuebingen in Germany, who was familiar with the new research but wasn't involved in the projects. "Simple spraying around of some pesticides may not [be enough] now or in the future.

New findings from entomologists at Ohio State University, show that bedbugs may have boosted their natural defenses by generating higher levels of enzymes that can cleanse...

National Geographic
on Bed Bugs

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