(Newswire.net — June 13, 2016) — Scientists have published a report in the April 25 issue of the “Journal of Medical Entomology” stating that bedbugs, like some other insects, have favorite colors. They are attracted to black or red bed sheets and are repulsed by white, yellow and green sheets.
Furthermore, the bedbugs’ color preferences develop as they age. Young bedbugs have poor eyesight and thus don’t show much in the way of color preferences. As they mature, their eyes become more developed, and they start developing color preferences. Young bedbugs are also transparent, as opposed to reddish like their elders, and are therefore always camouflaged no matter the color of the surface on which they stand.
What did the study involve?
The researchers put bedbugs in Petri dishes containing tiny tents made from colored paper. Bedbugs spend about 90 percent of their time hiding in crevices and thus prefer any shelter to no shelter. When they had the option, though, they always went to a black or red tent first.
The researchers found that the color preferences held true for all adult bedbugs and the older nymphs (juveniles). Whether they were male or female, hungry or well-fed, the bedbugs all showed the same preferences and dislikes for certain colors. In order to compare the reactions of well-fed bedbugs to those of hungry bedbugs, the researchers allowed some of the bedbugs to drink the blood of live chickens and made others go hungry. The scientists also found that pregnant females preferred to lay their eggs in black or red tents.
Why do bedbugs care about colors?
Bedbugs are largely nocturnal creatures that like to hide in mattress corners and other dark crevices. Black sheets remind them of their preferred habitat and time of day.
Their liking for the color red is a bit more difficult to explain. According to the study’s lead author, Corraine McNeill of the Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, it is probably not because red is the color of blood. Bedbugs can’t see the blood they drink, but they use cues like body temperature and the release of carbon dioxide to find likely sources of their food.
On the other hand, bedbugs have reddish exoskeletons and like to gather in groups. Young bedbugs in an aggregation have an easier time finding mates. Also, groups retain more moisture, so staying in a group helps bedbugs stay hydrated. Red, therefore, attracts bedbugs by making them believe that other bedbugs are in the area.
By contrast, the colors white, yellow and green are usually found in well-lit and exposed areas that make bedbugs feel threatened. Consequently, bedbugs dislike these colors and will avoid them.
Building better traps
Dr. McNeill does warn that simply throwing out black and red sheets won’t get rid of a bedbug infestation. On the other hand, knowing about bed bug color preferences will help people design better traps for pest protection. In the past, many bedbug traps have been white. As that color repels bedbugs, these traps have been ineffective.
The traps can’t stop a full-blown infestation, but they can act as monitors and alert somebody to the presence of bedbugs. Actually getting rid of bedbugs generally requires pesticides.
If you end up having a full blown infestation, call pest control professionals like UltraPro Pest Protection to help you with all of your needs.
UltraPro Pest Protection
23 Bergenline Avenue
Westwood, NJ 07675
877-492-2252
http://ultrapropestcontrol.com
With over 30 years of experience in eliminating bed bugs, termites, and rodents, UltraPro Pest Protection is emerging as New York and New Jersey’s leading pest control service for homeowners and commercial businesses.
For more information, visit ultrapropestcontrol.com