Bedbugs Gain Pesticide Resistance

(Brought to us by the NMHC newsletter )

According to a recent genetic study of bedbugs from Ohio State University researchers, recently published on the PLoS One Website, the pests are rapidly evolving to ward off the effects of the pesticides known to kill them. The bugs have increased the level of enzymes they produce to detoxify their bodies, grown thicker shells to block insecticides, and have nerve cells that are better equipped to handle chemical impacts from pesticides. In New York City, bedbugs are 250 times more resilient against standard pesticides than those in Florida, say researchers at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. These bugs are now more resistant to chemicals, which has helped them spread more easily among houses, hotels, dorms, and other commercial properties. Laboratory experiments in the United States, Europe, and Africa show today's bedbugs can withstand pesticide levels a thousand times higher than previously lethal doses of the chemicals.

From "Why Bedbugs Won't Die"
Wall Street Journal (NY) (01/20/11) Hotz, Robert Lee

Brent,

Thanks for the story. Found two other stories on this topic at ABC News that I thought were interesting.

Resistant Bedbugs? (VIDEO) -- The pests could have pesticide resistant genes.

abcnews.go.com/Health/video/bed-bugs-pes...anic-health-12724082


Also another interesting article:
"Bedbug War Continues; Scientists Study Bug Genome for Weaknesses"

abcnews.go.com/Health/scientist-study-ge...ug/story?id=12659848

Best regards,
Leigh