# There may soon be a way to eliminate bed bugs. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 7, 2013, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412 "2013-01-07T22:58:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/1 "2013-01-07T22:58:23Z")
Sounds promising. šŸ˜‰ I wonder if doctors will be willing to give this a try since itā€™s a prescribed drug? How will they feel about being used for pest control? [http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-12/bed-bugs-dying-after-merck-drug-suggests-possible-weapon.html?cmpid=otbrn.sustain.story](http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-12/bed-bugs-dying-after-merck-drug-suggests-possible-weapon.html?cmpid=otbrn.sustain.story) > [@](#): > > Three out of five bed bugs died after blood meals from people who had taken Stromectol, also called ivermectin, three hours earlier, according to research presented at a scientific meeting in Atlanta yesterday. The pill, along with conventional measures such as pesticides, may improve chances of eliminating the pest, said John Sheele, an emergency physician at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, who led the study. > [@](#): > > ā€œIvermectin is effective against a broad range of insects ā€“ body lice, head lice, scabies,ā€ Sheele said in an interview. ā€œWhat Iā€™d like to be able to do is a real-world experiment where we find people who have bed bugs, treat them with the regimen and see does it get rid of their infestation.ā€ ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/2 "2013-01-07T23:07:13Z")
Another article. ivermectin is in dogā€™s heartworm tablets. But, dog pills are not something humans would take. [http://www.takepart.com/article/2012/11/12/medicine-you-give-your-dog-may-spare-you-bedbugs](http://www.takepart.com/article/2012/11/12/medicine-you-give-your-dog-may-spare-you-bedbugs) ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/3 "2013-01-07T23:22:51Z")
ā€œBlood mealsā€. Great, now Iā€™m hungry. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/4 "2013-01-07T23:24:47Z")
Yā€™know, I wondered a long while back if people would take a pill to make their blood into something that would fool bedbugs into thinking they were fed when they really werenā€™t. I had no idea I was so close to the mark. The fact that it seems to function against other parasite bugs is a nifty bonus. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/5 "2013-01-07T23:32:56Z")
Somehow Iā€™m not thrilled with the idea of ingesting something that kills bugs. ---
**Author:** ![mozchron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c2a13f/32.png) [@mozchron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mozchron)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/6 "2013-01-08T00:40:41Z")
This exact strategy is currently being evaluated against mosquitoes as well - iā€™m part of a research team looking at it. Main issue is the half life of ivermectin in the human body; its not that long, meaning that the drug has to be gven very frequently with a high compliance rate to have a major effect. Still, worth looking at. > [@](#): > > Somehow Iā€™m not thrilled with the idea of ingesting something that kills bugs. Ivermectin is one of the most well tested drugs in terms of safety in the history of humanity - we currenty blanket Africa with it to control filariasis. On edit, just realized I was at that meeting. Missed that talkā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/7 "2013-01-08T06:13:25Z")
I hate spiders, mostly because they have awoken me in terror when on my chest. I have killed more of them than I have set free to feast on outside bugs, but I am trying to change that. They have a place in the Eco-system. I can be nice to unwelcome insects is what Iā€™m getting at. Fuck bedbugs. Scorched earth is the only solution I see there. Kill every last one of those mofos. I felt bad when I heard a friend of mine had a job that entailed exterminating praying mantis by the drove. But, if there were a bedbug killing team, I would volunteer on weekends, and buy some of the flamethrower fuel myself. For Mr. spider, I might be the deportation officer. If I ever see Mr. cockroach, I may be the executioner via shoe. If I see a bedbug, I am become Death. You, and all of your offspring will be exterminated with extreme prejudice, and fire may be involved. Fuck you. Iā€™d make my cat eat you if she werenā€™t so picky about food. Iā€™ll flush you down with a cat turd just out of disrespect. Yeahā€¦ not a fan of bedbugs. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/8 "2013-01-08T06:48:24Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Somehow Iā€™m not thrilled with the idea of ingesting something that kills bugs. Itā€™s awfully likely you already do. Iā€™m in the crunchy granola crowd and Iā€™d probably give it a go if I had a BB problem. I unfortunately already know Iā€™m highly allergic to their bites. In a way Iā€™m lucky, I guess, because I canā€™t ever have an ā€œinfestationā€ - Iā€™ll know as soon as thereā€™s even one of those bastards in the room. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/9 "2013-01-08T10:42:27Z")
**Ivermectin?** Thatā€™s been one of the most popular horse wormers for years now. Not at all surprising that itā€™ll work on bedbugs, too. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/10 "2013-01-08T13:39:21Z")
> [@](#): > > I hate spiders, mostly because they have awoken me in terror when on my chest. They could waken you while in bed with you: [spoiler][http://www.oglaf.com/8legs/[/spoiler]](http://www.oglaf.com/8legs/%5B/spoiler%5D) Please note that this link is not safe for work, or small children, or possibly men who have nightmares about spiders. ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/11 "2013-01-08T17:31:34Z")
This is conceptually similar to Capstar, an oral medication for dogs which will kill all of the fleas that bite the dog. I thought it would be the same chemical but apparently Capstar is nitenpryram ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/12 "2013-01-08T17:34:43Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Somehow Iā€™m not thrilled with the idea of ingesting something that kills bugs. Are you afraid there might be a bug in the elimination theory? ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/13 "2013-01-08T17:46:53Z")
Even leaving out concerns about systemic poisons, Iā€™m not especially happy about a retributive method that kills them _after they parasitize me_. Iā€™d prefer to get them before they suck out my blood. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/14 "2013-01-09T02:32:50Z")
What? No last meal? ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/15 "2013-01-09T02:42:08Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > Even leaving out concerns about systemic poisons, Iā€™m not especially happy about a retributive method that kills them _after they parasitize me_. Iā€™d prefer to get them before they suck out my blood. While Iā€™m sure thatā€™s true for all of us, traditional removal methods have been so poor, Iā€™d give this a go, I think, since I know Iā€™m the ultimate lure to bring them out of hiding. Itā€™s not like Iā€™d be happy about it, but also Iā€™ve been around ivermectin so much over the years it doesnā€™t give me the squicks like it probably does for most. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/16 "2013-01-09T02:50:07Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Another article. ivermectin is in dogā€™s heartworm tablets. But, dog pills are not something humans would take. > > [http://www.takepart.com/article/2012/11/12/medicine-you-give-your-dog-may-spare-you-bedbugs](http://www.takepart.com/article/2012/11/12/medicine-you-give-your-dog-may-spare-you-bedbugs) Ivermectin is a human drug too. My family had to take it as a precautionary drug when one of my nieces went to a sleep over where it turned out one of the kids had scabies. This was topical ivermectin though not pill, but they make them in pill for people. Three out of five bedbugs dying leaves two out of five alive. One of the reasons it is hard to get rid of bedbugs is they can go months without eating and they breed fast. So I donā€™t know how effective this intervention will be since it leaves so many alive. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2013, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-may-soon-be-a-way-to-eliminate-bed-bugs/646412/17 "2013-01-09T15:04:47Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > While Iā€™m sure thatā€™s true for all of us, traditional removal methods have been so poor, Iā€™d give this a go, I think, since I know Iā€™m the ultimate lure to bring them out of hiding. Itā€™s not like Iā€™d be happy about it, but also Iā€™ve been around ivermectin so much over the years it doesnā€™t give me the squicks like it probably does for most. I donā€™t think traditional removal methods have been poor at all. Theyā€™ve just been a lot of labor and expensive. Expose everything to intense sunlight for several days; boil bedding and clothes; slather all cracks, joints, corners and floorboards with boric acid or diatomaceous earth, throw out any mattresses or other furniture that canā€™t be washed or exposed to direct sunlight effectively. If people are thorough and rigorous about these methods (or more typically, once they decide to commit to the full program), they work very well. I understand wanting cheaper and easier, sure ā€“ I would ā€“ but thatā€™s different from saying the methods _donā€™t work_. And Iā€™m not sure letting the bastards snack on me counts as ā€œeasier.ā€