Manhattan pest control professionals can attest to the fact that a home that is badly infested with bed bugs has a particular scent to it.  To the human nose, a severe bed bug infestation is likened to the smell of rotting raspberries, cilantro, or coriander.  This sickening smell and be extremely intense depending on how severe the infestation is.

PLoS One reported on December 5, 2012 that scientists have been studying the real time measurement of volatile chemicals that are released by bed bugs during their mating activities.  This is the first study that has collected data in real time instead of information about the bugs over a period of time.

Scientists already knew that bed bugs were indiscriminate about which bed bug they mated with.  That is, males tried to mate with males and females alike.  Males mounting females irrespective of their previous mating history reduces the lifespan of the female.  As a result, scientists have found that female bed bugs release a pheromone to discourage such mounting.  Because male to male mounting does occur as well, the males also release the same pheromone to keep the unwanted suitor away.

According to reports, “The most distinct peaks in the proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry recordings were always observed close to the termination of mating attempts, corresponding to the defensive emissions that bed bugs have been suspected to exploit for prevention of unwanted copulations.”

Perhaps this distinct pheromone smell is one of the reasons that bed bug sniffing dogs are able to accurately find the exact locations of bed bugs that are hiding within a home or business.

For expert help with bed bugs call Stern Environmental Services.  We provide professional services in New York City, New Jersey, New York, and CT.