Dr. Richard Naylor, an entomologist, has been voluntarily sleeping with bedbugs for the past five years as part of his scientific research. He breeds thousands of these insects at his laboratory in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, to test pest control products from around the globe.
Naylor allows himself to be bitten multiple times a week, stating that the bites no longer bother him. He explains that after being bitten millions of times, he stopped reacting, with any redness disappearing within half an hour. "I must have been bitten millions of times by now, so I stopped reacting a long time ago," he said. "I get a red patch on my arm after the bugs have fed, but it disappears after about half an hour."
He requires physical hosts, like himself, to be present in test bedrooms to accurately assess the efficacy of new sprays and repellents. "If there is no-one sleeping in a bed, the bedbugs just sleep, they just go on standby. And so I can't test anything in the test bedrooms without there being a host in there," Naylor explained.
Through his not-for-profit organization, the Bed Bug Foundation, Naylor not only tests products but also breeds and distributes bedbugs globally to assist canine detection teams in identifying infestations for hotels. He also aids businesses in testing their products before they reach the market.
Bedbugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate due to their resistance to many modern insecticides, and infestations can have significant psychological impacts on individuals. Naylor noted, "I don't know of any other pest that has the same level of emotional and psychological impact on people. It can leave people with lasting PTSD-type symptoms."
He advises anyone suspecting an infestation to seek professional help, highlighting that a key indicator is the presence of inky black spots left by the bugs, often in an 'x' shape. Bedbugs typically hide in nearby crevices rather than directly in bedding, often found around seams and zippers of mattresses.
The Bed Bug Foundation suggests decluttering areas around the bed, washing bedding and soft furnishings, and inspecting the mattress and bed frame for signs of infestation. They also recommend using silica dust, thorough vacuuming, and employing bed isolation devices to prevent re-infestation.
Pharmacist Ade Williams confirmed that while bedbug bites are intensely itchy, they do not typically carry health risks, although scratching can lead to infection. He suggested antihistamines and emollient creams to alleviate symptoms. The NHS notes that severe allergic reactions are rare but possible, recommending cool compresses and keeping affected areas clean to manage itching and swelling.