Bed bugs are attracted to particular colors of bedsheets, luggage: Study

By Steve Pak, | April 26, 2016

Bed Bug

Bed Bug

Bed bugs seem to like the colors red and black based on a group of experiments done recently by researchers. However, the little bugs avoided the colors bright white, yellow, and green. The study could result in bug traps that draw in the insects using colors they like, and work with another type of pest control.

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Co-author Corraine McNeill is from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. The study's findings were published April 25, Monday in the Journal of Medical Entomology.

McNeill explains it is not clear if people should use bedsheets with certain hues or decorate bedrooms using special color schemes, according to CBS News. Roberto Pereira is an urban entomology research scientist at the University of Florida and was part of the research team. He shared that the research team joked they would buy bright yellow luggage to keep bed bugs away, according to CNN.

The blood-sucking insects often get into people's bedrooms by crawling into or laying eggs in luggage at hotels with infestations. Bright luggage could help although they might hide in dark folds of fabric.

Researchers put bedbugs in Petri dishes that included mini tents made from different colored paper. They moved towards the tents that were dark red and black, but avoided the white, green, and yellow shelters.

The university researchers noted that scientists have not done experiments to learn if red sheets or suitcases would keep the annoying bugs away. However, it could turn out to be a feasible method.

Insect experts had believed that bed bugs would hide anywhere. However, the news study shows that when they move in light they pick their hiding place based on colors they see.     

Researchers first thought the bed bugs liked red because it is the color of blood that they feed on. However, they now think it is because the small insects are red so they think other bed bugs are living in red areas.  The critters might avoid yellow and green because the colors look like brightly-lit places.

The researchers' study builds on past studies that show other insects such as flies also have favorite colors. It could result in better methods to control bed bugs.

Here's how to avoid bedbugs:


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