Bedbugs Infest Hotels Across the Nation
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As bed bug infestations have spread to all 50 states in America, scientists have debunked the myth that the presence of bed bugs means a lack of cleanliness. CNN is now reporting studies showing that a seemingly innocent factor of sheet color can be an attraction for these pests.
Do Bed Bugs Have Favorite Colors?
A research team conducted an interesting experiment in which bed bugs were placed in Petri dishes containing tiny bug-sized “tents” made from different colors of paper. Left to their own devices, most of the bed bugs flocked to the red and black tents, ignoring the white, yellow and green ones.
Team member Roberto Pereira, an urban entomology research scientist at the University of Florida, gave the following possible reasons as to why bed bugs prefer the darker colors:
• Colors such as black and red offer greater cover against spiders and other predators.
• Bed bugs tend to stick together, and they may mistake the colors for friendly colonies.
• Bright colors create more light exposure, which puts bed bugs at risk for excessive loss of moisture.
Dawn Gouge, associate professor of urban entomology at the University of Arizona, did not participate in the study but gave additional tips to prevent bugs when traveling:
• Use hard-sided luggage and never place it on a bed or a couch.
• When possible, pack and unpack in a protected outdoor area like a garage.
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