I interviewed Dr. Richard Houseman associate professor of urban entomology in the college of agriculture. We talked of course about none other than bed bugs. I thought it was a beneficial interview because I was able to learn more about the origins of them and how they spread. Houseman said that they started out in caves feeding on bats but once humans starting living in caves they evolved to feed on them. I also learned that another way to get bed bugs besides traveling is through buying used furniture. He said that if the furniture is stored in a warehouse there is potentially other furniture infested. Even if someone buys new furniture it can be infested if they use the same truck that carried an infested couch, etc. I also learned that bed bugs evolved through natural selection, where they adapted to feed on human blood and be able to be immune to certain pesticides. He also said that bat bugs and bed bugs look very similar but they both prefer different blood. 
Tag: bed bugs
Bed bugs do not transmit diseases
Sorry to inform you about bed bugs this week, it’s creeping me out, but nonetheless is informative. Bed bugs do not transmit diseases they are just a pest. They feed on blood and live in mattresses.
According to EPA’s website: “Experts believe the recent increase in bed bugs in the United States may be due to more travel, lack of knowledge about preventing infestations, increased resistance of bed bugs to pesticides, and ineffective pest control practices.”
I talked to the Environmental Public Health Supervisor of the city of Columbia, Kayla Gunier, and she said they have been getting less calls lately. She also said just because it isn’t a problem now, “doesn’t mean it won’t be in two weeks.” I’ve decided that after I publish this story I might want to keep up with the envrionmental public health department in Columbia just to see if they are more of a problem during football season. Even though that’s a scary thing to think about it, it is possible, and it’s better to be aware of what could happen.
“Don’t let the bed bugs bite.” Eeek!
I’m working on a story about bed bugs because they have become more of a problem in Columbia. Steve’s Pest Control Inc.’s Jerry Block said they get 10-15 calls a week and 3-4 treatments when in the past it was one a week. He said they are more prevalent when you travel, are the SEC games gonna bring more bed bugs? Ew! I’m doing further research and talking to more people and experts to see what’s up. Richard Houseman, an entomologist of plant sciences at MU, has a video about bed bugs and how they permeate in Columbia.
KC Digital Marketing | Becky Neems 