We've been using insecticides to kill bed bugs since the 1950s. Despite this, the bed bug population began growing at a faster rate since the 1990s.

James Armstrong, a master's student from the University of Saskatchewan, is studying bed bugs to find out more about bed bug infestations and how to better prevent them. He's using genetics not insecticides.

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Bed bugs are these oval, brownish and flat-bodied insects that feed on animal or human blood. They can be found in clothing, furniture or any part of the house. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) said bed bugs are found in all 50 U.S. states and some are starting to become immune to pesticides.

Armstrong's study is the first to trace the mitochondrial genes of the insects. Every species has a distinct mitochondrial gene handed down from one generation to another without alteration. Over 90 percent of bed bug mitochondria has been identified by the study.

The Natural Sciences and Engineer Research Council is funding James' study, which aims to discover genetic variations in bed bugs and the origin of the infestations. James collected bed bugs from many infested areas and brought them to the lab. He extracts their DNA sequences to determine the unique genetic characteristics of the species.

Surveys conducted by the NPMA and University of Kentucky revealed that 76 per cent of people find bed bugs more difficult to get rid of than any other pest. While these insects don't carry diseases, a virus or bug living in its body may infect the human blood as the bug feeds on it.

Bed bugs usually feed for about 5 to 10 minutes. These bites are painless at first then become itchy later. The bugs bite mostly at night when people are asleep.

TagsBugs, Bed Bugs, pests, pest, Insect, Insects, pesticide, DNA, infestations