Ivermectin: New Solution For Bedbug Outbreaks
Ivermectin New Solution For Bedbug Outbreaks
A widely used, safe and cheap medication, Ivermectin, that is best known to Americans as a remedy for heartworm in dogs appears to thwart bedbug outbreaks.
Bedbugs are common in the tropics and were rare in North America until a few years ago. There aren't a lot of good surveys to show just how bad the problem is, but a 2009 study found that six percent of New York City residents reported bedbugs.
In the bedbug lifecycle, eggs are laid, attach to solid surfaces near a blood source and hatch in seven to 10 days. Nymphal-stage bugs feed on human blood, mostly at night.
The blood meal is needed for continued development into adulthood.
Right now, the most common methods for treating an infestation are with pesticide sprays, steam cleaning, removing furniture and clutter in the infested areas, vacuuming and laundering. Professional extermination services are almost always needed, Sheele says.
"There aren't many good effective strategies at preventing and treating it," he says. "That's one of the reasons invermectin might be an option." The drug Ivermectin could be a much easier and manageable way to fight bedbug outbreaks, which have soared in recent years.
"Ivermectin has been around for over 20 years," Sheele says. "It's effective against a wide range of human endo and ectoparasites." Ectoparasites include head lice, body lice and scabies.
The next step is to test the medication in an actual bedbug infestation, Sheele says. It's possible that ivermectin may be most effective if used along with extermination.
The drug might also be a good strategy for someone staying in a hotel room that has a bedbug infestation in order to prevent carrying the bugs back home. People would likely have to take the medication for about two weeks.
Posted by
George Daniels
on Thursday November 15 2012, 7:45 AM EDT.
Ref: Yahoo.
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