Bed bugs and birds: Developing monitoring and management tools

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are parasitic hemipterans that have coevolved primarily with humans, making them well-adapted to exploiting urban habitats. However, bed bugs are host generalists and do not limit their diet to humans. This has led to their emergence as pests in agricultural settings, particularly in poultry facilities, where their presence can severely impact animal welfare and economic productivity. There is a pressing need to investigate how bed bugs adapt to and thrive in these novel systems, especially regarding their interactions with avian and mammalian hosts and the potential consequences associated. By examining the ecological relationships and adaptations of bed bugs in poultry facilities, we can gain valuable insights into their invasive behavior, inform effective management strategies, and mitigate these pests' economic and welfare impacts.