ABSTRACT
The resurgence of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), is well-documented in the scientifi c literature as well as in the the lay media (Anderson and Leffl er 2008, Wang et al. 2010, National Pest Management Association 2010). Explanations for this resurgence include but are not limited to, increased travel, changes in pest control practices for other urban pests, and insecticide resistance (Boase 2004, Harlan et al. 2008, Romero et al. 2007). While there still remains no scientifi cally valid evidence that the common bed bugor its tropical cousin Cimex hemipterus can act as a biological vector of human pathogens, mechanical transmission of certain viruses remains debatable (Blow et al. 2001, Jupp and Lyons 1987, Jupp et al. 1980, 1983, Silverman et al. 2001, Webb et al. 1989). Apart from disease transmission, the common bed bug is annoying, diffi cult to control, and their bites can cause allergic reactions. These reactions range from little if any irritation, to both immediate and delayed immune responses, to relatively severe allergic hypersensitivity (Leverkus et al. 2006, Goddard and DeShazo 2009, Reinhardt et al. 2009). In one report, an antigen prepared from the common bed bug was linked to bronchial asthma (AbouGamra et al. 1991), while in locations where very large infestations of bed bugs exist, their blood-feeding can result in victims presenting with anemia (Pritchard and Hwang 2009). A review of illnesses associated with the pesticides used to control bed bugs has recently been published (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2011).
