By Karim Hammam
Entomologist Dr Richard Naylor has spent the past five years sleeping with bedbugs to test pest control products at his laboratory in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.
Feeding thousands of bugs
Naylor breeds 50,000 to 60,000 bedbugs and allows them to feed on his arm twice a week. He says he has been bitten millions of times and no longer reacts, with red patches disappearing within half an hour.
Testing repellents requires a human host
He explains that bedbugs remain inactive without a host, so he must sleep in test bedrooms to evaluate new sprays and repellents. Naylor runs the not-for-profit Bed Bug Foundation and supplies bugs worldwide, including to canine detection teams.
Bedbug resistance and health impacts
Modern insecticides have become less effective against bedbugs, making infestations difficult to eradicate. Naylor notes the psychological toll, saying infestations can cause lasting PTSD-type symptoms. He advises contacting a professional if an infestation is suspected.
Signs and treatment
Key indicators include inky black spots in an X shape, often hidden in crevices near the bed frame or mattress piping. The Bed Bug Foundation recommends decluttering, washing bedding at high temperatures, vacuuming with silica dust, and installing bed isolation devices.
Medical perspective
Pharmacist Ade Williams says bites typically appear in clusters or lines and rarely carry health risks beyond itching. He warns against scratching to prevent infection and suggests antihistamines and emollient creams. The NHS advises cool compresses for itching and swelling, noting severe allergic reactions are rare.
