Bed bug pill? Is this really the answer?

Bed bug pill? Is this really the answer?
-A new study conducted at Eastern Virginia Medical School shows there could be potential new use for a commonly used medication.

NEW BERLIN, WI- November 16, 2012- What if you could just take a pill to get rid of bed bugs? It sounds a little radical, but a new medical study, presented at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, revealed some interesting results.

“Bed bugs” are small, multi-sized and multi-shaped insects that feed on the blood of sleeping humans and animals. They have been a growing problem, especially in New York City, where a 2009 study revealed that six percent or roughly 400,000 residents reported bed bugs. Bedbug outbreaks in London are growing at a rate of approximately 25 percent per year.

Jason Freels, Bed Bug Services Manager at “Batzner Pest Management” and “Batzner Bed Bug Services” , Inc. noted, “We have experienced a 100 percent increase in the amount of bed bug calls each year, over the last 4 years.” This epidemic can likely be explained by an increase in international travel, the exchange of used furniture, as well as decreased effectiveness of over-the-counter pesticides. Bed bug bites can affect people differently. One person might wake up the next day with red, itchy welts, while another might not show symptoms, if any, until weeks after being bitten. The biggest problem is preventing bed bug introduction before an infestation begins.

Dr. Johnathan Sheele, an emergency physician at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, conducted a study involving Merck & Co.’s Stromectol, also called ivermectin, which is a drug commonly used to treat diseases caused by worm parasites. One study involved injecting mice with ivermectin, and allowing bed bugs to feed on the blood of the mice. After feeding on the injected mice, the bed bugs died at a rate of 86 percent.



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Bed bug pill? Is this really the answer?


A second study involved Dr. Sheele, himself, and three of his colleagues ingesting ivermectin and allowing both adult and juvenile bed bugs to feed on their blood. The tests were done 3, 8, 22, and 54 hours after ingesting the drug.

Study results showed that ivermectin was most effective on the first day of treatment, where 63 percent of bed bugs had died within three hours, compared to only 8 percent in a control group. However, the bed bugs continued to die at a rate of 42 percent 54 hours after the drug was ingested. In addition, ivermectin also hinders the ability of juvenile bed bugs to shed their outer exoskeleton, which is a key step in development.

Jason Freels, Bed Bug Services Manager at “Batzner Pest Management” and “Batzner Bed Bug Services” Inc. noted, “Bed bugs have developed a resistance to over-the-counter pesticides available to the public.” A study by entomologists at Ohio State University revealed that over-the-counter foggers, or “bug bombs”, commonly used by consumers are not effective at killing bed bugs. Jason adds, “Ivermectin is definitely worth looking into, as it could be a way for travelers to avoid bringing bed bugs home. However, it will likely have little effect on managing or eliminating bed bug infestations.”

The director of the bed bug ivermectin study, Dr. Sheele, said, “Ivermectin has been around for over 20 years. It is effective against a wide range of human endo and ectoparasites, including head lice, body lice, and scabies.” If this drug works to eliminate these problems, it is likely that it could have a future in protecting travelers against bed bug infestations.

If you are experiencing problems with bed bugs, it is best to seek help from a professional pest management company. “Batzner Pest Management” provides “commercial” and “residential”bed bug services, proven effective in controlling bed bug infestations.

For more information about pests and pest management, contact Jason Freels at Batzner Pest Management at 262-797-7774 or visit Batzner’s website at http://www.batzner.com/

Batzner Pest Management, Inc.
Address: 16948 W. Victor Rd
New Berlin, WI 53151
Website: “www.batzner.com/”
Industry: Pest Control
Employees: 95


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