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Beware of Bed Bugs in NYC! Producing Histamine

Oct 03, 2022
Entomologists from the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment discovered in a recent study that bed bugs produce large amounts of histamine, which may be harmful to humans.

Histamine is a chemical compound produced by the human body that can cause inflammation and alert the immune system to potential threats. Allergic reactions with side effects such as rashes or respiratory problems are common reactions to histamine production. Excess histamine, particularly in patients with histamine intolerance, has been linked to health effects such as headaches, gastrointestinal issues, irregular heart rate, and asthma.

The study was led by Dr. Sudip Gaire, a post-doctoral scholar in the UK Department of Entomology, and Dr. Zach DeVries, an assistant professor of entomology, and looked at histamine excretion levels of bed bugs across different life stages, populations, and lengths of time, as well as the effects of feeding on blood on the pests' histamine production levels. On the project, the UK-based team collaborated with scientists from North Carolina State University.

A study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology recently revealed that bed bugs can produce large amounts of histamine, with a single bed bug producing more than 50 micrograms of histamine in just one week. In a hypothetical infestation of 1,000 bed bugs, researchers discovered that the bugs could produce up to 40 milligrams in a week. This amounts to more than 2 grams of histamine per year, not including natural population growth or larger infestations that occur frequently in the real world.

“That’s an amount you can actually see, and we don’t see that with any other containment,” Dr. DeVries stated in the news post. “When we talk about pesticides, allergens, any other thing in our home that some invading organism is producing, it’s always on microscopic levels, not something where you could actually hold it in your hand.”

Another significant finding was the role of bed bug diets in histamine production.
The researchers compared histamine production in bed bugs fed three different diets: blood-fed, saline-fed, and starved.
Researchers discovered that blood-fed bed bugs produced "significantly more" histamine than the other groups.

“Blood is the primary factor for histamine production, but we don’t know how exactly they are producing the histamine,” Dr. Gaire said in the release.

While bed bugs are a common problem in homes around the world, scientists generally do not consider them a major threat to human health, aside from their bites, because they do not carry any pathogens.
The issue of high-level histamine production, on the other hand, raises a new potential risk from the pest.

Scientists are unsure of the specific health effects of histamine produced outside of the human body, Dr. DeVries, Dr. Gaire, and their colleagues suspect that bed bugs' high level of histamine excretion may have negative clinical effects. The effects of such close, often direct, exposure to histamine, which is common in bed bug infestations, are also unknown, according to Dr. DeVries.

“It’s not only the fact that they’re producing histamine, but they’re producing it right next to where you spend the most time, generally speaking, within our homes, which is in our beds or sleeping areas,” Dr. DeVries said.

While Dr. DeVries and Dr. Gaire's study answered important questions, they believe more research is needed before sounding the alarm. Dr. DeVries, Dr. Gaire, and others in the UK entomology department plan to continue research on the topic, looking at things like histamine distribution, bed bug histamine production mechanisms, histamine clinical relevance, and mitigation strategies in homes. The study was funded by Dr. DeVries' 2019 National Institute of Health Director's Early Independence Award, which will fund similar future studies until 2024.

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?

Bed bugs are insects that feed on blood and thus are drawn to humans. They have the ability to bite and cause rashes. Bed bugs prefer warm places to hide, such as the folds of mattresses and bedding, as well as cracks in walls and furniture. Identification is critical because they require different treatment than other pests. The good news is that bed bugs can be seen with the naked eye. Bed bug adults are only about a quarter of an inch long, and their eggs are much smaller and a light cream color. Bed bugs have six legs and antennae, but no wings because they cannot fly. Immature bed bugs are translucent in color and turn bright red after feeding. As they digest their meal, they will turn brown. When immature bed bugs mature, they turn a dark brown or rusty red/brown color. They have an oval shape and a flat appearance.

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation in NYC

If you notice red and itchy bites, this is your first sign that you're dealing with bed bugs. Flat, red welts in zigzag lines or small clusters will result from these bites. These bites do not transmit disease, but they can be very irritating, resulting in scratching and infection. As bed bugs feed at night, they will bite exposed skin. When the bites appear, you must inspect your bed. There will be blood stains that resemble tiny rust spots. These areas can be found near the bed's corners and edges. As they molt, you may notice oval brown exoskeletons. Bed bugs also emit a foul odor that is strong, unpleasant and musty- like a wet towel. The pheromones they release can be very strong if numbers are high.

What to Do if You Get Bed Bugs in NYC Home?

At the first sign of bed bugs, contact the experts at Jet Pest Control. We provide visual inspections, and if they are discovered in your home, we have the most effective chemical and heat treatment methods to ensure complete eradication! Contact us today to schedule a bed bug inspection!

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