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Pheromones research
(11 posts)-
So, aggregation pheromones research is beginning to be published, which we all have high hopes for.
Evidence for male- and juvenile-specific contact pheromones of the common bed bug Cimex lectularius
Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, Vol. 125, No. 2. (November 2007), pp. 215-219
(Eric Siljander, Dan Penman, Harold Harlan, Gerhard Gries):From the abstract:
"In dual-choice laboratory experiments, juveniles, but not males or females, preferred juvenile-exposed paper discs to control discs. Unlike juveniles, males and females preferred male-exposed paper discs to control discs. Neither juveniles, males, nor females preferred female-exposed discs to control discs."
I'm not sure what the status of the fabled pheromone traps is--we've been expecting news about those for some time, but with perfectly controlled breathing. ;)
A casual search indicates that there is a new patent for a bed bug monitor device which you can read about here.
All of this can only be good, yes? Who knows when any of this will translate into something useful, but one can hope.
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PS: Siljander is the author of an article on the existing foraging and communication ecology research which I want to link again here for easy access. It's a PDF.
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thebedbugresource
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Joined: Apr '07
Posts: 238
Posted 1 year ago
Mon Dec 10 2007 0:48:42
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Hello All,
I hate to burst your bubbles but pheromones are a long way from being practical with bed bugs. Their pheromones are highly volatile (evaporate quick), unique amongst and within populations, and not yet an exact science.
While the research shows that bed bugs use pheromones, it is not yet to the point of where we as pest control professionals have a new tool.
Eric has been researching this pheromone for years (as have major companies) because of the complexities and set backs.
My best guess is at least 6-12 months before anything hits the market (and that is being optimistic.
Sean.
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Thanks for the update, Sean.
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I have to agree with Sean on this one, the big hint is that its Pheromones and not a single one.
From my understanding there are many different types with different signals and responses and although they will most likely perform some function in pest control they are unlikely to work in the same way as pheromones for cockroaches. The main reason being that bed bugs have a rather specific food source and do like a fresh meal.
If you cross reference with the artificial feeding systems that people have tried to research you will get something of an understanding as to how complex this area of research is.
David
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Thanks.
Party-pooping bubble bursters.
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LOL no just realists.
It would also take between 6 and 8 years to get the products through the EPA in US and bioscience directive in the EU.
I do honestly wish there was a simpler answer but at this point in time there is not, thankfully even the UK is finally moving away from some of the fade treatments such as the liquid carbon dioxide snow machine.
David
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What about thermal trucks to make the rounds of our bedbugged neighborhoods, David? Or, I saw this strange reference to a "steam disinfector" in Limehouse, whatever that was, sounds ancient and wacky, but take a look: http://www.cieh.org/ehn1/article.aspx?id=3844
Getting serious for a moment, you must admit that we need new technologies. Bedbugs spread because they are difficult to control. These difficulties are not going to go away. And so we cannot rely on pesticides. We'll be overrun if we do.
I have such moments of just the most defeatist thoughts about this whole thing.
Anyway, thanks for the perspective.
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LOL, yes I did actually know of that one already. Its a bit like the cyanide chamber they had out on the marshes on the out skirts of London. It was a massive dome shaped building where they would drive removal lorries in at the end of the day and expose the whole chamber to cyanide gas.
Yes effective for bed bugs but as the protocol included a daily walk to the top to open the valve ad let the gas escape into the atmosphere not really one for the environment.
I agree its not all chemical control, as I have said before its 10% chemical and about 80% experience.
The trick to controlling the spread is almost 100% public education, the ones that do not respond to the bites and continue to spread them around are the ones that we need to educate. Once they are dealt with the world can return to some normality. Until then catch a little sleep when you can and consider retraining as a PCO, the hours are crap, you are always dealing with people under stress and at the thin end the money can be tough but for job satisfaction opening letters offering to name first borne after you is nice, I will just have to resist the urge to change my name by dead poll to the Rt honorable king bed bug.
OK its out of hours here so I am off to the second and third jobs.
David
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A bunch of wee Davids running around is a nice image. For your Catholic clients, there is one patron saint against vermin, Magnus of Fussen, dragon slayer and crafty pest controller (of the IPM persuasion).
Best...
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bbbitten
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Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 39
Posted 1 year ago
Thu Sep 4 2008 12:29:37
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any more news on pheromone traps? Any chance of this happening sometime soon.
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