Repellents that Could Slow the Spread of Bed Bugs?

According to a new study in the Journal of Medical Entomology, there could be some hope for preventing the spread of bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) through means such as hiding away in your luggage while you travel. Researchers found certainly chemicals often used in fragrance or flavor as well as related compounds such as DEET may repel bed bugs. If you travel often using public transportation or stay frequently in hotels, this may be worth your time to test.

* Anderson, J.F., Ferrandino, F.J., Vasil, M.P., Bedoukian, R.H., Maher, M., McKenzie, K. “Repellency of Naturally Occurring or Related Compounds, DEET, and Para-Menthane-3,8-Diol to Bed Bugs (Hemiptera: Cimicidae).” The Journal of Medical Entomology (2018) Oxford Academic Journals. https://academic.oup.com. 5 February 2018.