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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 30th November 2022
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Veterinary drugs found effective against bed bugs
Antiparasitic drugs used in companion animals could combat bed bug resurgence in poulty farms.
Study explored medication use in poultry farms.

A study from North Carolina State University has found that two common veterinary medicines used to combat parasites in companion animals have potential to control resurgent bed bug populations on poultry farms.

As the research team explained, owing to the sensitive nature of the poultry environment, bed bug control options are limited. 

Combined with limited level of products labelled for bed bug control, and bed bug populations' resistance to a wide range of active ingredients, this means that alternative options should be investigated.

Researchers tested Fluralaner and Ivermectin, medications used to treat fleas and ticks on companion animals, on bed bugs (Cimex lectularius).

The team tested bed bug mortality rates by topical treatment or ingestion of the medications, and also allowing the bugs to feed on the chickens.

In the lab, both of the medications were efficient, killing most of the bed bugs, but fluralaner was discovered to more significantly more effective on bed bugs that showed resistance to common insecticides.

When trialled in the chickens, fluralaner was found to be highly effective at killing bed bugs, while ivermectin was ineffective against the bed bugs feeding on the dosed chickens.

Corresponding author of a paper describing the work, Professor of Entomology at NC State, explained: “The bed bug is a globally important insect. The last few decades have seen a resurgence of bed bugs in homes, and now we’re seeing bed bugs return to poultry farms. 

“Since there is no proven method to stop bed bugs in commercial farms, the potential problems on poultry farms could be massive. We’re trying to get ahead of it by developing technologies that can eliminate bed bugs.”

María González-Morales, former PhD student at NC State and lead author of the paper, said: “The health effects to poultry from bed bug infestation are not well documented, but anecdotally poultry farmers see animal welfare concerns like stress and anemia, which could negatively affect meat or egg production.”

Published in Parasites and Vectors, the full paper is available to read here.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.